Author: robinson.t

Science Knowledge Organiser
Year 5
Forces

Summary Statement
Unsupported objects fall to Earth due to the force of gravity. Moving surfaces can be
affected by friction, air and water resistance. The use of mechanisms can allow smaller forces to have a greater effect.

Key Knowledge
A force causes an object to start moving, stop moving, speed up, slow down or change direction.
Gravity is a force that acts at a distance. / Everything is pulled to the Earth by gravity. This causes unsupported objects to fall.
Air resistance, water resistance and friction are contact forces that act between moving surfaces. The object may be moving through the air or water, or the air and water may be moving over a stationary object.

By the end of the unit children can:
Explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object.
Identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces.
Recognise that some mechanisms e.g. levers allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.

Key Vocabulary
Spelling	Definition
Force	A force influences the shape and / motion of an object. The unit of force is the Newton.
Gravity	An invisible force that pulls objects towards the centre of the earth.
Air / resistance	A contact force that acts between moving / surfaces in the air.
Water / resistance	A contact force that acts between moving / surfaces in water.
Friction	The force which acts to oppose the motion of two touching surfaces.
Lever	Using a lever by / pushing at one end, / creates a larger force at the other end.