Year 5 · Science · Physical sciences
Friction: the force that slows things down
Students investigate friction as a contact force by testing how far a toy car rolls on different surfaces.
Awaiting educator review. This material was drafted by our content team with AI assistance and is waiting for review by a qualified educator. Please check it suits your child before using it. Created 10 October 2026.
These lessons were written around Australian Curriculum strands and matched to New Zealand year levels by age (NZ Year 1 is the first year of school). They are not yet mapped to The New Zealand Curriculum, so check them against your own learning programme.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Describe friction as a force that acts between surfaces that touch.
- Investigate how different surfaces change the amount of friction.
- Identify where friction is useful and where it is a problem.
Success looks like
- I can explain what friction is.
- I can measure how far a car rolls on different surfaces and compare results.
- I can give an example of useful friction and unhelpful friction.
The big idea
Friction is a force that tries to stop surfaces sliding past each other. It acts when things touch, so it is a contact force.
Rough surfaces usually make more friction than smooth surfaces. A car rolling onto carpet slows down quickly; on smooth tiles it rolls further.
Friction is often useful. It stops our shoes slipping, helps car tyres grip the road and lets bike brakes slow the wheels.
Friction can also be a problem. It wears out shoes and tyres and makes machines heat up. Oil and grease are used to reduce friction in engines.
Rubbing your hands together quickly makes them warm. That warmth comes from friction.
Some forces do not need touching. Gravity pulls things down to Earth and magnets attract iron from a distance. These are non-contact forces.
Worked examples
Friction test
On which surface will a toy car roll the furthest after leaving a ramp?
- Set up the ramp at the same height each time.
- Lay the first surface at the bottom of the ramp.
- Let the car go from the same start mark (no pushing) and measure how far it travels.
- Repeat three times for each surface and find the typical distance.
- Compare: the car travels furthest on the smoothest surface.
Answer: Furthest on the smooth surface, shortest on the towel.
Reading a results table
A car travelled 120 cm on tiles, 85 cm on foil and 30 cm on a towel. Which surface had the most friction?
- More friction means the car stops sooner.
- The shortest distance was 30 cm on the towel.
Answer: The towel had the most friction.
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
What does friction usually do to a moving object?
Slows it down — Friction acts against movement and slows things down.
Which surface would make the most friction for a rolling toy car?
A shaggy rug — A rough, soft rug makes more friction than smooth surfaces.
Which is a non-contact force?
Gravity — Gravity acts without touching.
Where is friction useful?
Bike brakes stopping the wheel — Brakes rely on friction to slow the wheel.
Why do people put oil on squeaky bike chains?
To reduce friction — Oil lets surfaces slide past each other more easily.
Rubbing your hands together quickly makes them feel warm or cold?
warm — Friction between your hands produces heat.
A car rolled 90 cm on tiles and 40 cm on carpet. How many centimetres further did it roll on tiles? (number)
50 — 90 − 40 = 50 cm.
Friction only works when surfaces are touching. Is it a contact or non-contact force?
contact — Friction needs surfaces to touch, so it is a contact force.
Watch out for
- Some think friction only happens with rough surfaces. Even smooth surfaces have some friction.
- Students may think friction is always bad. Without friction we could not walk, hold a pencil or stop a bike.
- Some think heavier cars always go further. Use the same car each time so the surface is the only change.
Tips for parents
- Repeat each test three times; results vary a little and repeating builds good habits.
- Help your child draw a simple column graph of distance for each surface.
- Safety: keep the ramp on the floor away from walkways, and tape down towels so no one trips.
Go further
- Test which shoes in your house have the best grip by sliding them gently down a tilted board.
- Try a magnet on paper clips through paper, cardboard and a plastic lid to explore a non-contact force.