Y5/6 (B): Forces and space: Unbalanced forces
Investigating gravity, friction, air and water resistance and their effects.
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Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Describe gravity and its effects.
- Describe the relationship between mass and gravity.
- Describe air resistance and its effects.
- Describe friction and its effects.
- Describe water resistance and its effects.
- Describe the relationship between surface area and air and water resistance.
- Explain how to make an object aerodynamic or streamlined.
- Describe the effects of levers, pulleys and simple machines on movement.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Analyse predictions, data and anomalies to write a conclusion.
- Plan a fair test to investigate air resistance.
- Write a method.
- Evaluate a method and judge the degree of trust.
- Design a results table.
- Calculate the mean average from repeat data.
- Draw and annotate a diagram.
- To draw an accurate line graph.
Please note that Kapow Primary Science lessons are designed to be 1 hour and 30 minutes long to reflect the requirements of a core subject.
Suggested prior learning
Y3/4 (B): Forces and space: Forces and magnets
Get startedLessons
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 1: Gravity
Knowledge
- To describe gravity and its effects.
Working scientifically
- To analyse data to write a conclusion.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 2: Air resistance
Knowledge
- To describe air resistance and its effects.
Working scientifically
- To plan a fair test to investigate air resistance.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 3: Water resistance
Knowledge
- To describe water resistance and its effects.
Working scientifically
- To design a results table.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 4: Friction
Knowledge
- To describe friction and its effects.
Working scientifically
- To evaluate a method.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 5: Levers, pulleys and gears (Part 1)
Knowledge
- To describe the effects of levers, pulleys and simple machines on movement.
Working scientifically
- To draw and label a diagram.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 6: Levers, pulleys and gears (Part 2)
Knowledge
- To describe the relationship between lever length and effort.
Working scientifically
- To draw an accurate line graph.
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Unit resources

Knowledge organiser – Science Y5/6 (B): Forces and space: Unbalanced forces
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the mixed-age unit ‘Unbalanced forces’.

Vocabulary display – Science Y5/6 (B): Forces and space: Unbalanced forces
A display version of the vocabulary from the mixed-age unit 'Unbalanced forces'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Mathematics: Measurement, Statistics.
British values: Mutual respect, Democracy.