Forces and Movement · B6 Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B6.4.3.1.1 - Recognise the relationship between energy and forces

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define force and energy in their own words and explain how the two are connected.
Demonstrate that a greater force is needed to move a heavier object than a lighter one through hands-on activities.
Explain that a force must first overcome the weight of an object before the object can move in the direction of the force.
Relate the amount of energy applied to the amount of work done in everyday activities such as lifting, pulling and cutting.
Predict which object requires more force to move and justify their prediction using the relationship between energy and force.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Forces and Energy (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: Forces and Movement (4.3)
Content standard: B6.4.3.1 - Know that movement is caused by applied forces due to the release of stored energy
Indicator: B6.4.3.1.1 - Recognise the relationship between energy and forces
Suggested placement: Term 3, Week 2 (Week 26 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. 42
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Learners form different groups to undertake activities on application of forces, e.g. pulling items across a distance, lifting up loads of different weights.
- Learners brainstorm on the relationship between energy and forces, e.g. why is it more difficult to lift a table than a book?
- Lead learners to explain that when a force acts on an object, it first needs to overcome the weight of the object before it can make the object move in the direction of the force. Thus, it is easier to pull a lighter object than a heavier one.
- Relate this to the need to apply more energy/effort in our daily activities to be successful (Weeding with a cutlass, cutting a tree etc.).
NB: The greater the force exerted on a body/machine, the greater the work done.