PracticeQuestionsYears 1–7
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Gravity, friction and air resistance

Year 5 · Upper Key Stage 2 · Y5 Forces — Gravity; air resistance, water resistance and friction

Draft — awaiting teacher review

Builds on: Light and shadows (Year 3)

I

Concept Anchor

Gravity pulls unsupported objects towards the centre of the Earth. Friction, air resistance and water resistance act in the opposite direction to movement and slow things down.

Worked example

Why does a parachute fall slowly?

  1. 1.Gravity pulls the parachute down.
  2. 2.Its large surface pushes against lots of air.
  3. 3.Air resistance acts upwards, against the motion.
  4. 4.This slows the fall.
II

Guided Check

A ball rolls further on ice than on carpet. Why?

    III

    Independent Diagnostic Practice

    Q1Year 5Y5 Forces — Gravity·Fluency·●○○Draft — awaiting teacher review

    Why does an apple fall to the ground?

    Q2Year 5Y5 Forces — Air resistance·Reasoning·●●○Draft — awaiting teacher review

    A flat sheet of paper and a scrunched-up ball of the same paper are dropped. Which lands first?

    Q3Year 5Y5 Forces — Fair test with friction·Problem Solving·●●●Draft — awaiting teacher review

    You test which shoe sole has most grip by pulling each shoe with a force meter. What must stay the same?