Friction Fun in Year 3

In Year 3 we are investigating Forces and Magnets as our science topic and on Wednesday we investigated the effects of friction on an object when pushed over different surfaces. The experiment measured how far the children could push a pencil pot across a smooth table surface, a wooden floor and a carpet.
Year 3 were able to use their knowledge of friction to predict which surface they thought would have the most and least friction during the experiment, we then divided into three groups and had each group record their results. Each member of the group had a chance to push the pot across the surface while another measured the distance it moved. Each pupil then recorded the distance in their exercise books.
Year 3 concluded that the carpet was the hardest surface to push the pots across and therefore created the most friction, whereas the wooden floor was the easiest and therefore created the least friction.

By Mr Keating