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Year 5 - Science

Friction: plan

Forces including simple machines

Unit Summary

This unit covers the effects of gravity, air resistance, water resistance, and friction on objects. It explores how mechanisms like levers, pulleys, and gears magnify forces. Emphasis is on taking precise measurements, recording complex data, and presenting findings.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to plan an investigation to measure the effects of friction.

Key Notes

  • Friction is the force between two surfaces that are moving, or trying to move, across each other.
  • Friction always acts in the opposite direction to the movement of an object.
  • Only changing one variable ensures that no other factor affects the test results.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • surface: The surface is the top or outside layer of an object or material.
  • force: A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, change speed, change direction or change shape.
  • friction: Friction is a force that acts between surfaces.
  • variable: A variable is something that can be changed, measured or kept the same in an investigation.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Friction is always unhelpful.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Friction is the force between two surfaces that are moving, or trying to move, across each other. Friction always acts in the opposite direction to the movement of an object.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'surface'

The surface is the top or outside layer of an object or material. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Friction is always unhelpful. Correction: Examples given of positive uses of friction for braking and turning.

More Lessons In This Unit

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