Free teacher web sites for Science topic ‘Physics - Forces’

Consider how friction plays a part in getting cars to stop in this very engaging simulation. Ideal for upper KS2.

External link: A friction experiment

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use

Find out why things fall. An interactive gravity based experiment for KS2.

External link: A gravity experiment

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use

A parachute jump is explored here in pictures.

External link: Air resistance and gravity

• suitable for class use

Add a parachute of varying size and weight to this car to see if it effects how far it will roll. Also change the gradient. A great BBC simulation.

External link: Air resistance and gravity simulation

• suitable for class use

Instructions on a buoyancy experiment to investigate water resistance.

External link: Build a boat

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use

This simple demonstration allows you to switch off air resistance when dropping a rock and feather side-by-side. You will need the free Flash plugin from Adobe.

External link: Demonstration of air resistance

• suitable for class use

A simple activity-based story around floating and sinking.

External link: Floating and sinking

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use

Cartoon style animations that seek to demonstrate balanced, unbalanced forces, upthrust, friction and air resistance. Suitable for all levels as teachers can use this to supplement their lesson.

External link: Forces animations

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use

Mystery productions presents a house full of forces based questions. Work through them to learn more. We would not use this as a lesson introduction. It's more for children working independently. Lower KS2 based.

External link: Forces in a the house

• suitable for class use

At first this site looks bland. But the text is spot on for KS2. Click on more in the bottom left hand corner to find out what forces can do. Ideal for introductions.

External link: Forces introduction

• suitable for class use

This National Geographic website covers earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and volcanoes. We found the language to be child fiendly and engaging.

External link: Forces of nature

• suitable for class use

BBC simulation - use gradient and different degrees of pushing to see how far the car moves. Also you can change the size of the car.

External link: Forces simulation

• suitable for class use

These futurelab videos support the teaching of forces. Includes fish that glide, tyres on road, boats that slide and people who are mad enough to jump from an aircraft with fabric attatched to their back. Fantastic. Use the menu at the top to discover Newtons laws and centipedal force (roundabouts).

External link: Forces videos

• suitable for class use

This BBC features a car and a track. Change the surface of the track and see how the car responds when pushed.

External link: Friction simulation

• suitable for class use

Plenty of paragliding and widsurfing pictures. May support a unit on leisure and tourism or the sea and weather. As well as forces - of course!

External link: Great forces in sport pictures

• suitable for class use

This Foss website page has some great pictures and movies of moving toys. Also - build a rollercoaster is great for talking about gravity and momentum and also inclines and declines. Great.

External link: Motion and momentum

• suitable for class use

Use this push and pull powerpoint from Camelsdale school. Great for infants - examples of pictures include pulling up socks and pulling open a door. This is contained in a zipped file. Click to download - right click on downloaded folder then unzip. Ask you ICT coordinator to help you with this if you get stuck.

External link: Push and pull powerpoint

• suitable for class use

Mr Zippy's trainers will support the teaching of the friction experiment which compares the grip of different shoe soles. From IWB solutions.

External link: Shoe friction experiment

• suitable for class use

BBC imulation of pushing a toy on wheels. Use hard or soft pushes and experiment by placing things in its path.

External link: Soft push / hard push

• suitable for class use

You'll be glad you're not desk-bound when you play this. Get the ball of paper into the bin. Use the decimals to work out how strong the fan is blowing to alter the angle of your throw. Enough explaining - just get on with it - teachers have used this to talk about wind strength, comparing decimals and some Friday fun for the last 5 mins of the week. Enjoy.

External link: Wind resistance

• suitable for class use