Forces and Movement · B5 Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B5.4.3.1.1 - Explain the term, “friction”, its effects and applications

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define friction as the force that opposes the movement of two surfaces against each other.
Demonstrate the effect of friction by rubbing their palms together and describing the warmth produced.
Explain why friction is reduced on wet, oily, or smooth surfaces and how this leads to slipping or falling.
Describe at least three real-world applications of friction, including walking, driving, and the wearing out of shoe soles.
Predict and compare the movement of a toy car on rough and smooth surfaces based on their understanding of friction.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Forces and Energy (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: Forces and Movement (4.3)
Content standard: B5.4.3.1 - Know that movement is caused by applied forces due to the release of stored energy
Indicator: B5.4.3.1.1 - Explain the term, "friction", its effects and applications
Suggested placement: Term 3, Week 3 (Week 27 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: Science Curriculum (Basic 4-6), 2019, p. 28
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Review the previous lesson on forces with learners.
- Learners recall some examples of forces and their effects/applications.
- Learners explain why cars usually drive slowly on wet roads.
- Task them to explain what happens when one accidentally step into an oil spill on the floor.
- Ask learners these questions: What is friction? What does it do? How does it work?
- Then discuss their prior knowledge of the topic.
- Learners rub their palms together for several sections and talk about what they notice.
- Explain to learners that the warmth they feel is caused by a force called friction and that friction is the force that opposes the movement of two surfaces against each other.
- Some learners remove their shoes to show the shrunken heels/soles as an example of the effect of friction between the sole of the shoe and the ground which one walks on.
- Emphasise the fact that it is because of the friction between the shoes and the ground that we do not fall whilst walking or running.
- Explain to learners again that on a rainy day or on a smooth/polished surface, friction is reduced, which means the shoes of the one walking or the tyres of the car are not firmly gripped to the ground or the road because friction has reduced. Thus, this is what causes people to fall or slip on oily or wet surfaces.
Project: Investigating the effect of friction Learners demonstrate the effect of friction by using a toy car on rough and smooth surfaces.