Understanding Forces

Lesson Overview

Subject: Science (Physics)
Year Group: Year 5
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 32 students
National Curriculum Reference: Key Stage 2 – Year 5 Science: Forces and Motion
Learning Objective: Students will understand the effects of different forces, including gravity, friction, air resistance, and water resistance, through hands-on investigations.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Define force and describe different types of forces.
• Explain the effects of gravity, friction, air resistance, and water resistance.
• Conduct experiments to observe how forces act on objects.
• Record and analyse their findings using scientific language.

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Resources Needed

• Small toy cars
• Ramps with different surfaces (smooth wood, sandpaper, felt, plastic)
• Stopwatch
• Marbles
• Water-filled containers
• Cardboard cut-outs for parachutes
• String
• Paper clips
• Balloons

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

Engage: Start with a thought-provoking question:
"What makes things move and stop?"
Encourage students to share their prior knowledge of forces.

Demonstration: Drop a ball and ask:

• Why does it fall?
• What would happen if we dropped it on the Moon?

Introduce the concept of forces, focusing on pushes and pulls, explaining that they can speed up, slow down, or change the shape of an object.

Key Vocabulary: Force, gravity, friction, air resistance, water resistance.

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2. Main Activity (40 minutes)

Investigation 1: Gravity in Action (10 minutes)

• Give students small objects (e.g. paperclips, marbles, feathers).
• Ask them to drop each one and observe which falls fastest.
• Discuss how gravity pulls objects towards the Earth, and why air resistance slows some objects down.

Investigation 2: Friction Challenge (10 minutes)

• Set up ramps with different surfaces (wood, sandpaper, felt, plastic).
• Roll toy cars down each ramp and time how long they take to reach the bottom.
• Ask students: On which surface did the car move fastest? Why?
• Introduce friction: Rougher surfaces create more friction, slowing objects down.

Investigation 3: Air Resistance – Paper Parachutes (10 minutes)

• Give students square pieces of cardboard, string, and paper clips.
• In pairs, let them create parachutes and drop them from the same height.
• Ask them to record which parachute falls slowest and discuss why.
• Explain that air resistance pushes up against falling objects, slowing them down.

Investigation 4: Water Resistance – Moving Through Water (10 minutes)

• Drop different objects into a water-filled container.
• Observe which objects sink fastest or move easily through the water.
• Explain that water resistance slows movement, similar to air resistance.

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3. Plenary & Discussion (10 minutes)

• Gather students and ask: What did you notice about each force?
• Use real-world scenarios:
  • Why do cars have smooth tyres on roads but rough tyres on gravel?
  • Why do swimmers wear tight suits?
  • How do parachutes help skydivers slow down?
• Students summarise their learning in pairs and share key points.

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Assessment

• Verbal questioning throughout.
• Written observations in science journals (simple tables, diagrams).
• Mini exit quiz (e.g. What force makes a ball stop rolling?).
• Peer discussion to check understanding.

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Extension Activity (For Fast Finishers)

• Design and test different parachute shapes.
• Investigate how changing the angle of the ramp affects speed.
• Research famous scientists who studied forces (e.g. Isaac Newton).

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Teacher Reflection

• Which investigation engaged students the most?
• Were students able to use scientific language when describing forces?
• What misconceptions arose, and how were they addressed?

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Final Thought

This lesson brings forces to life through exciting, hands-on experiments, making physics tangible and engaging for Year 5 students. By physically seeing and testing forces, students develop a deeper understanding that will remain with them beyond the classroom.