Forces and space: Unbalanced forces

Investigating gravity, friction, air and water resistance and their effects.

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  1. Subjects >
  2. Science >
  3. Key stage 2 >
  4. Year 5 >
  5. Forces and space: Unbalanced forces

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

Forces and space: Forces and magnets

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Lessons

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Lesson 1: Gravity

Knowledge

  • To describe gravity and its effects.

Working scientifically

  • To analyse data to write a conclusion.
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Lesson 2: Air resistance

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Lesson 3: Water resistance

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Lesson 4: Friction

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Lesson 5: Levers, pulleys and gears (Part 1)

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Lesson 6: Levers, pulleys and gears (Part 2)

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Key skills

Planning

  • Suggesting which variables will
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Key knowledge

To know:

  • Gravity
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Key vocabulary

air resistance

anomaly

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Related content

    Resources

Unit resources

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Science

Knowledge organiser – Science Y5: Forces and space: Unbalanced forces

Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Unbalanced forces’.

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Science

Vocabulary display – Science Y5: Forces and space: Unbalanced forces

A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Unbalanced forces'.

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Subject resources

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Cross-curricular opportunities

Build on the learning

This is the last unit of forces in KS2.

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