Year 5 Science: The Force of Friction
A comprehensive lesson for Year 5 students exploring the force of friction. Students will learn how friction acts as an opposing force, how surface texture affects movement, and the real-world applications of friction, including air resistance.
Learning objectives
- Identify friction as a force that acts between moving surfaces.
- Describe how different surfaces produce different amounts of friction.
- Explain how friction acts to slow moving objects down.
- Identify the effects of friction, such as the production of heat.
Lesson plan (60 minutes)
Introduction · 5 min
Hook: Rub hands together quickly. Discuss what students feel (heat) and why (friction).
Teaching · 15 min
Teacher-led explanation using the explainer script and worked example. Definition of key vocabulary.
Guided Practice · 15 min
Class investigation: Testing how a toy car travels on different surfaces (carpet, wood, bubble wrap). Recording observations.
Independent Practice · 15 min
Differentiated worksheets (Support, Core, Stretch) completed independently.
Assessment & Plenary · 10 min
8-question multiple choice quiz to check for understanding.
Key vocabulary
- Friction
- A force that acts between two surfaces sliding, or trying to slide, across each other.
- Contact Force
- A force that requires two objects to touch.
- Lubricant
- A substance like oil or grease used to make surfaces slippery and reduce friction.
- Air Resistance
- A type of friction that acts on objects moving through the air.
- Surface Texture
- The feel or appearance of a surface (e.g., rough or smooth).
Core worksheet (first questions)
- Explain what friction is in your own words.
- Why do rough surfaces create more friction than smooth surfaces?
- List three ways friction is useful in everyday life.
- Name two ways we can reduce friction between two surfaces.
Quiz (sample)
1. What is friction?
- A. A force that pulls objects to the Earth
- B. A force that opposes motion between two surfaces
- C. A force that makes objects speed up forever
- D. A force only found in space
2. In which direction does friction usually act?
- A. In the same direction as motion
- B. Opposite to the direction of motion
- C. Straight upwards towards the sky
- D. Straight downwards towards the centre of the Earth
3. Which of these surfaces would likely create the MOST friction?
- A. Ice
- B. Polished wood
- C. Sandpaper
- D. Glass
The full pack is waiting
Support and Stretch worksheets, every answer and model answer, the teaching explainer and common misconceptions, editable and ready to print as PDF or Word.
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