Higher:
Middle:
Can explain why some surfaces slow objects down
Lower:
Can identify what surfaces can be crossed easily
Higher:
Can explain how friction can be increased or decreased
Middle:
Can describe the texture of materials
Lower:
Lesson Recap Starter: Think back to your last lesson. Explain how does a compass works.
Lesson Starter: Why is it difficult to run up a sand dune? Share your ideas with the person next to you.
Presentation - starter slide
Answer questions and take part in activities during the presentation. Stop the presentation at the relevant slides: Talk Partners; AfLs; Songs. Take part in the Choral Response Questions activity (see Assessment section) after the Keywords/Rocket Words slide.
Key Concept:
During this unit, each lesson contains a key concept question housed in the '30 Second Challenge' slide. To help children master this content so the knowledge moves from their short term memory to their long term memory, at the beginning of the follow on lesson the question from the previous lesson is revisited.
The questions covered during this unit include:
1. What metal is found in a magnet?
2. List the different types of magnets?
3. Explain how a magnet works.
4. Why does a magnet always point north?
5. How does a push and pull force work?
6. What is a force?
Careers Film: This is India Wild who works as a Quality Specialist Engineer at Alstrom. India spends alot of her day thinking about how objects move around the factory she works in.
Expert film: Dr. Sam Rowe who explores the impact of friction over a variety of surfaces.
Expert Film: Mike explains to Paul why it is easier to move on certain surfaces and explains how this relates to lifeboats and racing cars.
How we deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks:
2 - Learning from career and labour market information: Pop along to Developing Experts career’s zone to find out about jobs in your area.
4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers: This unit showcases careers in the rail industry. Access our 360° virtual work tours.
7 - Encounters with Further and Higher Education: Pop along to Developing Experts career’s zone to find out about training providers in your area.
Presentation - Expert Film.
Ramp Investigation
Make a small ramp by putting a piece of wood/cardboard on a stack of books.
Make sure the boat slides down the ramp without being pushed.
Lay a material on the ramp, you could stick it with sticky tack.
Place the boat at the top of the ramp. Let go of the boat and time how long it takes to reach the bottom of the ramp.
The children should choose which material will slow down the boat the most and explain their idea on the handout.
There is a blank table on the handout where they can fill in their results.
Handout
toy boat (or wooden block)
thick books
stopwatch
cardboard/wooded ramp
a selection of materials e.g. bubble wrap, cling-film, paper, felt, sandpaper
NB: Any object can be timed moving down the ramp for a measurable effect pick an object that slides not rolls. Avoid toys with wheels or balls.
Is friction a good or bad thing?
How could we reduce friction?
How are the textures of the materials different?
Objects are slowed down by...
Choral Response Questions/Phrase Suggestions
...friction.
The Science Behind the Science
Friction is caused by two surfaces rubbing together. On a microscopic level the two surfaces interlock and this creates the friction. Rougher surfaces lock together more readily increasing friction.
Sir Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion are not introduced in this unit, but the principles in these laws are fundamental to a study of motion. These are the laws:
1. An object at rest remains at rest unless a force acts on it. Likewise, an object in motion remains in motion unless a force acts on it (inertia).
2. An object’s will accelerate if there are unbalanced forces acting on it, in the direction of the resultant force.
3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law is illustrated in the blastoff of a rocket. As the rocket pushes exhaust away from its engines, the exhaust pushes back toward the rocket, lifting it.
Compare how things move on different surfaces.
Forces, electricity and waves - Forces - By contributing to investigations of energy loss due to friction, I can suggest ways of improving the efficiency of moving systems. SCN 3-07a
Forces and Energy: the study of energy, its origin, storage and transfer, and the work it can do; the study of forces; the application of scientific understanding through inventions and machines.
The Australian Curriculum - comparing the way different sized, but similar shaped, objects such as tennis balls, golf balls, marbles and basketballs roll and bounce
Using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
Grade 3 Force, Work and Energy
Grade 1 - Physical Science - Motion and Energy - On the Move - Position and Motion - How do things move? Grade 3 - Physical Science - Forces and Energy - Forces and Motion - Forces - What are forces? (changes in motion)