Feel The Force — Fairfield

Our forces topic is outlined below, with information about what we will be covering each week.

Module 1 :How Can We Measure Forces? The children will revise their understanding of friction from Y3. Then they will be introduced to Newton meters and will learn how to chose the appropriately scaled Newton meter for the force to be measured. They will measure a variety of forces using these meters.

Module 2: Why does an object fall and how can we slow it down? The children identify how scientific evidence is used to support and refute ideas, testing the explanations of Aristotle and Galileo about how objects fall. They will explore gravity as a non-contact force which pulls objects towards the Earth and that an object's surface area not its mass, affects the time it takes to fall.

Module 3: Does the shape of an object affect its movement through a liquid? During this module, the children learn that water resistance and air resistance are forms of friction that oppose movement in water and air. They explore how the shape of an object affects its movement through a liquid or air. They will be introduced to balanced and unbalanced forces.

Module 4: Do all heavy objects sink? In this module the children measure the upthrust on objects in water, by measuring the weights of objects in air and water. They will be introduced to the term upthrust and will find out how the relationship between weight and size affects floating.

Module 5: How can we make work easier using mechanisms? This module consists of a number of activities which enhance the children's understanding of how mechanisms can be used to increase or decrease force. We will be exploring simple levers, gears and pulleys.