Classroom Teacher Preparation
Physics 19: Friction
Please use the following to prepare for the next SfS lesson.
Description:
This lesson provides students with an introduction to the concept of friction and a chance to discover two types of friction.
Students explore the differences in frictional forces for different materials through experimentation and compare their
results to those of their classmates in order to draw conclusions about the nature of frictional forces. Advanced students
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or lengthy classes may present their results graphically. This lesson is geared towards older (6 -8 grade) students.
Lesson Objectives – SWBAT (“Students Will Be Able To…”):
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6 -8
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Define friction as a force that opposes motion
Distinguish between kinetic friction and static friction, and give examples
Explain the causes of friction
Preparation:
Students should have a general understanding of the concept of forces and a basic awareness of the force of gravity.
Students will also need to know how to calculate an average of three numbers (using a calculator).
Vocabulary:
Introduce this term:
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Force – the push or pull experienced by an object, as a result of an interaction with another object
These terms will be defined in lesson:
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Friction – a force that opposes motion, which occurs when two surfaces are in contact with one another
Static friction – the frictional force, experienced by an object at rest, which resists a force exerted on it to cause it
to begin to slide across a surface
Kinetic friction (sometimes called sliding friction) – the frictional force, experienced by an object sliding across a
surface, which resists forces keeping it in motion
Room Set Up for Activities:
Students will work in small groups to measure friction for different surfaces. Each group will need a flat workspace about a
meter long.
Safety:
The activity for this lesson involves pulling ceramic coffee mugs across a flat surface. Please consider whether tables or
the floor would be the better workspace for your students in order to minimize the chance of breakage.
Science from Scientists
617-314-7773 • [email protected] • www.sciencefromscientists.org
Copyright © 2016 Science from Scientists
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Related Modules:
This lesson may be taught as part of a sequence or group of related modules on Physics, particularly Motion and Energy.
Other modules in these sequences include:
Physics 5: Pendulums – Students determine what factors affect the period of a pendulum. In the process of executing
these experiments, students have the opportunity to observe that friction in the pivot of the pendulum decreases the
amplitudes of its oscillations.
Physics 6: Ballistics - This module is a qualitative introduction to projectile motion, and includes a more extensive
discussion of Newton’s laws of motion.
Physics 16: Energy – Introduces students to the different forms of energy and the ways that energy can be converted from
one form to another, including the conversion of other forms of energy into heat via friction.
For other module sequences and groups, look here: www.sciencefromscientists.org/sequences
Standards Covered:
Please click the following link to our website to review the standards covered by this lesson, listed by state:
http://www.sciencefromscientists.org/standards/
Lessons are matched to both national NGSS and local state standards.
Classroom Post and Activities:
A link to the Follow Up Student activity can be found in the Classroom Post on our website at
sciencefromscientists.org/cohorts. Use the name of your school/cohort and password to log in. Students experience the
incredible power of friction by assembling two inseparable phone books - held together only by friction!
Additional Resources:
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A straightforward introduction to friction, including types of friction not covered in this lesson:
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_friction.html
A more mathematical treatment of friction: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/frict.html
Science from Scientists
617-314-7773 • [email protected] • www.sciencefromscientists.org
Copyright © 2016 Science from Scientists
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