Forces and magnets

For grown-ups: this lesson in words

Years 3 to 6 · Science

Forces and magnets: I can sort pushes and pulls, compare how things move on different surfaces, and say when magnets attract or repel.

1. A force is a push or a pull. Let's sort some.

   Kicking a ball and pressing a doorbell are pushes. A push moves something away from you.

   Picking an apple and opening a door towards you are pulls. A pull moves something towards you.

   Picture: Sorting into 2 groups: Push, Pull. Push: Kick a ball (ball), Press a doorbell (bell). Pull: Pick an apple from a tree (apple), Open a door towards you (door).

2. Your turn: Tom throws a ball to his friend. Is throwing a push or a pull?

   Choose one:

   • A push
   • A pull

   Answer

   The answer: A push

   Throwing is a push. Tom's hand pushes the ball away from him.

3. Here is a wooden block on a rough, bumpy floor.

   The push arrow shows a push from behind. The block slides to the right.

   Friction is a force between two surfaces that rub together. Its arrow points the opposite way, against the movement.

   A rough floor makes lots of friction. The friction arrow is as long as the push arrow, so the block does not speed up.

   Picture: A drawing of forces acting on something moving. A block is pushed along a rough floor. Friction acts against it: the friction arrow is as long as the push, so the block does not speed up. Labels: object, push and friction.

Words to know

force:

A push or a pull.

friction:

A force between two surfaces that rub together. It works against the movement.

magnetic:

Attracted to a magnet. Iron and steel are magnetic.

attract:

To pull towards.

repel:

To push away.

pole:

One end of a magnet: the north pole, N, or the south pole, S.