New
New
Year 5

Pushes and pulls

I can measure pushes and pulls using a force meter.

New
New
Year 5

Pushes and pulls

I can measure pushes and pulls using a force meter.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Pushes and pulls are forces. Different types of forces can be contact or non-contact forces.
  2. Forces can change an object's speed, direction, and/or shape.
  3. Forces can be measured using a force meter, also known as a newton meter.
  4. A force meter works by stretching a spring. As a downward force increases due to gravity, the spring stretches.
  5. Forces are measured in newtons (N), named after Sir Isaac Newton.

Common misconception

Forces only act on moving objects.

Examples of forces being used to move stationary objects will be included.

Keywords

  • Force - A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, change speed, change direction or change shape.

  • Force meter - A force meter is a piece of equipment used to measure the size of a force. It is also called a newton meter..

  • Push - A push is a force that moves an object further away.

  • Pull - A pull is a force that brings an object closer.

  • Newtons - The size of a force is measured in units called newtons (N).

Encourage children to take care when measuring using a force meter. If the marker is above a particular whole number, will the measurement be more or less than that number?
Teacher tip

Equipment

A range of force meters: see additional materials for further detailed guidance.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Pushes and pulls are types of...
Correct Answer: forces, force
Q2.
What type of force is gravity?
push
Correct answer: pull
Q3.
Which types of forces occur when objects are touching each other?
Correct answer: contact forces
non-contact forces
Q4.
Match the type of force to the example.
Correct Answer:contact ,pushing open a door with your hand

pushing open a door with your hand

Correct Answer:non-contact,pulling a paperclip with a magnet

pulling a paperclip with a magnet

Q5.
If you throw a ball in the air, it falls back down to the ground because...
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: all objects are pulled towards Earth
all objects are pushed towards Earth
all objects are magnetically attracted to Earth
Q6.
Starting with the smallest, order these objects by the size of their gravitational pull.
1 - snowball
2 - Earth's Moon
3 - Earth
4 - Sun

6 Questions

Q1.
can change an object's speed, direction, and/or shape.
Correct Answer: Forces, forces
Q2.
Which of these are types of force?
jump
Correct answer: pull
Correct answer: push
dive
skid
Q3.
Which unit are forces measured in?
Correct Answer: newtons, N, Newtons, newton
Q4.
Which of these images shows a force meter?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q5.
Which of these images shows the smallest force?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
Which part of a force meter changes length when different forces are applied to it?
Correct answer: spring
hook
scale
marker
Q5 image 1 UYSEG Q5 image 2 UYSEG Q5 image 3 UYSEG

Additional material

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