Subject:
KS2 Science
Title: Friction is a Force
Length of film:
04:24
Dale Clarke is a train driver on the Trans-Pennine Express. He needs to
know that friction is a force.
Description: Dale drives passenger trains all over the north of England. To
make the train stop and stay still he has to apply the brakes. The brakes are
big pads which press against the train’s wheels creating friction that slows and
eventually stops the train. Friction also ensures that the train doesn’t roll away
when it is stationary.
Discussion points:
Teacher’s notes:
1. Why does Dale need to know about friction?
2. How would Dale stop his train more quickly, and why
would he need to do this?
3. How are railways dangerous places? How can we
encourage people not to play on them?
4. What safety issues does Dale need to know about?
5. What might life be like if there was no friction? What
would happen if friction was stronger?
Suggested activities:
1. Investigate which other machines have brakes.
2. Which materials would you make brakes from?
Investigate how much friction different materials
create.
3. Make your own version of the game ‘shove halfpenny’.
Which surface is best to play on? How does friction
help or hinder you in the game?
4. Make your own force meter (see hand-out). Can you
use it to measure push forces?
Extension activity:

Can you reduce the effect of friction? Try different
liquids.
Subject keywords:
friction, force, slow down, stop,
rubbing, brakes, lubricants, air
resistance
Did you know…?
Most train drivers learn their job through the railway company they
work for. In the UK there are 23 different train operating companies.
You have to be 21 to learn to drive a train but you can work at a station
when you are 16. At 18 you can work on board a train.
The first passenger railway line in the UK was opened in 1825 between
Stockton and Darlington. It was 42 km (26 miles) long.
Friction between the train wheels and the brake pads is called dry
friction.
Contact: [email protected] Telephone: 0844 809 9395
Job keywords:
Third rail – an electrical power line
on the train track.
Electrified – powered by an
electrical current.
Depot – a building where trains
are kept when not being used.
© 2013 Yes Programme Ltd
Improvised force-meters
or
Contact: [email protected] Telephone: 0844 809 9395
© 2013 Yes Programme Ltd