Friction KS2
Looking for a simple way to teach friction in KS2?
Friction is one of the key forces children learn about in primary science and is an important part of the Year 5 Forces curriculum. Understanding friction helps children explain why some objects move easily while others slow down or stop.
Whether you're introducing friction for the first time or revisiting it as part of a wider forces topic, this guide explains the concept in a way that is easy for children to understand.
What Is Friction?
Friction is a force that acts between two surfaces that are touching. It works against movement, making it harder for objects to slide, roll or move across a surface.
When two surfaces rub together, friction is created. Rough surfaces usually create more friction, while smooth surfaces create less friction.
- A toy car rolls further across a wooden floor than across a carpet.
- A football slows down as it rolls across grass.
- A cyclist slows down when they stop pedalling because friction acts between the tyres and the road.
- A pencil can write on paper because friction exists between the pencil tip and the paper.
Friction Year 5
In friction Year 5 lessons, children learn that friction is a force that opposes movement between surfaces. They investigate how different materials create different amounts of friction and consider how friction can be both helpful and unhelpful.
Children are often encouraged to work scientifically by making predictions, carrying out fair tests, recording results, identifying patterns in data and drawing conclusions from their investigations.
A common investigation involves testing how far a toy vehicle travels across different surfaces such as carpet, fabric, wood or plastic. This helps children see how friction affects movement.
Examples of Friction
There are many examples of friction in everyday life:
- Walking without slipping
- Bicycle brakes stopping a bike
- Writing with a pencil
- Rubbing hands together to create heat
- A football slowing down on grass
- Car tyres gripping the road
Why Is Friction Useful?
Although friction slows things down, it is often extremely useful.
Friction helps us walk and run safely, hold objects without dropping them, write and draw, stop vehicles using brakes, and keep objects from sliding around.
Without friction, many everyday tasks would be much more difficult.
When Can Friction Be a Problem?
Sometimes friction can be unhelpful. Friction between moving parts can create heat and cause wear and tear over time.
Engineers often try to reduce friction in machines by using lubricants such as oil or grease. This allows moving parts to slide past each other more easily and improves efficiency.
Teaching Friction KS2
The best way to teach friction KS2 is through practical investigations and real-life examples. Hands-on activities help children see the effects of friction for themselves and develop a deeper understanding of how forces work.
Children can compare different surfaces, test predictions and measure how friction affects movement. These investigations help bring the concept to life and support scientific enquiry skills.
Explore Forces with PlanBee
If you're teaching friction KS2 or looking for resources to support your Forces Year 5 topic, PlanBee's Forces scheme of work provides everything you need for engaging science lessons.
The scheme includes ready-to-teach lesson plans, slideshows, differentiated activities and investigations covering friction, air resistance, water resistance, gravity, mechanisms and forces.
👉 Browse PlanBee's Forces KS2 planning pack here
Friction KS2 FAQs
What is friction in KS2 science?
Friction is a force that acts between two surfaces that are touching. It works against movement and slows objects down.
What year group learns about friction?
Friction is usually taught as part of the Year 5 Forces unit in the KS2 science curriculum.
What are some examples of friction?
Examples include walking, writing with a pencil, bicycle brakes working and a football slowing down on grass.
Why is friction important?
Friction helps us grip objects, walk safely, stop vehicles and control movement in everyday life.
