Year 5 forces introduces pupils to gravity, air resistance, water resistance and the effect of forces on moving objects. Linked to the Year 5 Science National Curriculum, pupils investigate forces through practical enquiry and explore how mechanisms including levers, pulleys and gears can allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.
Across six lessons, pupils explore gravity and resistance before planning and carrying out a parachute investigation. They develop their ability to make predictions, control variables, take measurements, interpret results and use scientific evidence to explain what they observe.
Pupils should be taught to:
Forces forms part of the Scintillating Science Year 5 scheme. Explore the Year 5 science page to see curriculum coverage, progression and the other science units available for the year.
The Year 5 forces programme of study develops pupils’ understanding of gravity and forces that oppose movement, including air resistance, water resistance and friction. Pupils also learn how simple mechanisms can increase the effect of a force and apply their understanding through practical scientific enquiry.
Pupils learn that gravity is the force that causes unsupported objects to fall towards the Earth. They explore how gravity acts on objects and begin to explain observations using scientific vocabulary and evidence.
Year 5 pupils investigate the effects of air resistance and water resistance and consider how these forces can affect movement. They also develop their understanding of friction as a force that acts between surfaces and can slow or stop moving objects.
The unit includes a practical Year 5 air resistance investigation in which pupils plan and test parachutes. This provides opportunities to identify variables, make predictions, take measurements, compare results and evaluate how changes to a parachute affect the way it falls.
Pupils explore how levers, pulleys and gears work and learn that these mechanisms can allow a smaller force to have a greater effect. This helps pupils connect their learning about forces with mechanisms and simple machines used in everyday life.
This Year 5 forces unit includes six sequenced science lessons, together with the resources teachers need to teach and assess the topic:
See how this unit fits into the wider curriculum and explore Year 5 science planning and resources, or browse our primary science scheme of work for Reception to Year 6.
