Using force arrows
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can draw and label force arrows to accurately represent forces acting.
Key learning points
- Force arrows show the direction of a force.
- The length of a force arrow shows the size of a force.
- A force arrow is drawn starting from a point that shows where the force acts.
- Force arrows are best labelled as the force acting on (object A) by (object B).
Keywords
Force arrow - A force arrow is an arrow drawn to represent a force acting.
Size - The size of a force means its strength, this is represented by the length of a force arrow.
Direction - A force arrow must point in the same direction as the force it is representing.
Common misconception
Force arrows are often added to diagrams carelessly without regard to accurate representation.
Draw force arrows from the point of interaction in the correct direction with a length proportional to the size of force.
Teacher tip
A visualiser can be very useful to 'live model' the process of adding force arrows accurately to images. This lesson is also an excellent opportunity to introduce peer assessment, students can measure each other's force arrows to check them.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Forces (pushes and pulls) cannot be seen. So how do we represent forces in diagrams?
Q2. arrows are used to represent forces in diagrams.
Q3.What is needed to draw straight lines of a set length?
Q4.If a 5 N force was drawn 5 cm long, how would you draw a 10 N force?
Q5.What direction do you think arrows used to represent forces should be drawn?
Q6.What direction do gravitational forces act?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The size of a force is shown by the of a force arrow. (one word)
Q2.The ball is being thrown forwards. Which force arrow has been drawn in the correct direction to show the force of the hands on the ball?
Q3.An ice hockey puck is sliding along ice. What is the best phrase to describe the force that slows down the puck?
Q4.Which arrow has been correctly placed to show the force of the racket on the ball?
Q5.Which arrow has been correctly placed to show the gravitational force of Earth on the ball?
Q6.A force of 300 N is drawn 3 cm long. On the same diagram there is a also a force of 1200 N acting. How long should this force be drawn?
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Using force arrows, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Using force arrows, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Forces unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.