Learn how friction, air resistance and water resistance slow things down by sliding boxes, testing parachutes and racing boats in a Year 5 science game.
Year 5 science · 1
Year 5 science · 1
Year 5 science · 1
Year 5 science · 1
What the chapters cover in the national curriculum in England:
Friction, Air and Water Resistance is an interactive science game that teaches children aged 8–11 how these three forces slow down moving objects, following the Year 5 forces curriculum in England. Skye the swift narrates every step, so children can play by listening as well as reading.
Players rub cartoon hands together to feel the heat friction makes, then run a fair test sliding a box across ice, wood, carpet and sandpaper. They time parachutes of different sizes, drop plasticine shapes through a tank of water and race boats with flat, round and pointed fronts. Along the way they meet the key idea that friction, air resistance and water resistance always push against the movement, and that streamlined shapes meet less resistance.
An optional warm-up reviews pushes, pulls and force arrows, and a ten-question challenge at the end checks what has stuck.
Friction is a force between two surfaces that rub or slide against each other, and it pushes against the movement. Tiny bumps on the surfaces catch on each other, so rough surfaces like sandpaper grip more than smooth ones like ice. Friction also turns some movement into heat.
A bigger parachute falls more slowly because its large canopy pushes against more air, creating more air resistance. Air resistance pushes upwards while gravity pulls downwards, so the extra push slows the fall and gives a gentler landing.
A pointed, smooth shape lets water flow past easily, so it meets less water resistance and can move faster. Flat, wide shapes have to push much more water out of the way, which slows them down. Sharks, dolphins, penguins and speedboats all use streamlining.
The game is designed for children aged 8 to 11, and it follows the Year 5 forces objective about air resistance, water resistance and friction in the national curriculum for England. Younger children can play along with an adult, as every line is read aloud.
It includes an optional warm-up, four chapters with hands-on experiments and a ten-question final challenge, taking about 45 minutes to play through. Chapters can be played separately in any order, so it also works in shorter sessions.
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