To begin the new term, our science topic is all about forces. To begin the topic, we reviewed previous learning from year 3, where children learnt about contact and non-contact forces. We reminded ourselves that a non-contact force is when a force acts on an object without touching it, e.g. gravity, whereas a contact force is when two objects physically touch, e.g. friction. This linked in perfectly to the main lesson, which was all about friction! 

We reviewed what friction was and then came up with ideas as to when friction is useful and non-useful. See what the children came up with!

It was then time to test out friction, which links perfectly with our science vision of:

Be academic. 

Be curious. 

Be practical. 

For this investigation, we investigated how adding oil to jelly changed the effect of friction. To begin with, children had to move jelly from one bowl to another.

We then added oil to the jelly and children had to repeat the process. They found it was a lot harder to move the jelly with oil on it. This was because the surface was a lot smoother which meant there was less friction. 

We then recorded our outcomes in our books with diagrams to help explain. 

We look forward to learning more about forces. Our next lesson will be on air resistance.