Beginner
30 mins
Teacher/Student led
+105 XP
Teacher-led from the board — pupils need no device

A Bigger Push, a Longer Roll

You will try giving a small push and a bigger push to a toy car or ball on a lane. First guess which one will go further, then test it and draw what you notice about the distance.

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    1 - Getting Started ~3 mins

    Illustration for Getting StartedImagine a footballer about to kick a ball. Sometimes they give a little kick. Sometimes they give a big kick.

    Which kick do you think sends the ball further? Show me with your hands: small kick or big kick?

    2 - Look and Wonder ~3 mins

    You already know a push makes something move.

    Which push will send our car further — a small one or a bigger one?

    A small push and a big push

    3 - Let's Roll ~9 mins

    Illustration for Let's rollOne pair works at each floor lane. Everyone else watches and helps say small or bigger.

    If you are the pusher, give a small push from the start line, and your partner puts a marker where the car or ball stops.

    Then, with the same car and the same start, the pusher gives a bigger push, and the partner marks that stop too.

    Look at the two markers together and decide which push went further. Then swap, so every child gets a turn to push.

    4 - Mark How Far ~3 mins

    Look at the two markers on the lane nearest you.

    Point to the stop after the small push. Point to the stop after the bigger push.

    Which marker is further from the start? Tell the child beside you what you noticed.

    5 - Compare at the Front ~4 mins

    Sit where you can see the front floor lane. We will watch and guess together.

    First a small push. Guess where it will stop, then watch. The teacher leaves a marker there.

    Now a bigger push with the same car from the same start. Guess again, then watch the second marker go down.

    Look at both markers. Which push went further?

    Pupil practice · Investigation Journal
    Module 3 · Energy and Forces: Energy That Works, Forces, Float and Sink, and Magnets
    Lesson 20 · A Bigger Push, a Longer Roll
    Download Investigation Journal sheet (PDF)
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