Physical Sciences
Force & Motion
Students measure forces with a spring balance, test friction across surfaces, feel inertia first-hand, launch reaction rockets, and explore magnetism and static electricity.
Year 3–4
90 min
up to 30 students
$490 + GST
What students will do
Students use a spring balance and Newton's apple to measure gravitational force in Newtons, then test friction across five different surface materials on a tray slide. A hover ball demonstrates near-frictionless motion. Working as a group, students use an inertia apparatus to experience Newton's First Law before launching reaction rockets in pairs. Bar magnets with visualisers reveal field lines for magnetic forces, and students rub sticks with wool to generate static electricity and use them to attract polystyrene balls of different sizes. Teacher demonstrations include book separation and a Newton's cradle.
Learning outcomes
- Measure gravitational force in Newtons using a spring balance, calibrated against a known one-Newton reference
- Investigate how friction varies across different surface materials and rank them from most to least friction
- Compare motion with and without friction using a hover ball and describe what changes
- Experience Newton's First Law using an inertia apparatus and explain why a stationary object stays still until a force acts on it
- Launch reaction rockets and connect the results to the idea that every action produces an equal and opposite reaction
- Investigate magnetic fields using bar magnets and a visualiser, and describe magnetism as a force that can act without contact
- Generate a static charge by rubbing materials together and use it to attract light objects such as polystyrene balls
Curriculum links
- VC2S4U10Core
Contact forces and non-contact forces, including friction, gravity, magnetism and static electricity, can be exerted between objects and affect their motion. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S4I03Core
Formal measurements, including the use of familiar scaled instruments, can be made and recorded to represent and compare data. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S4I01Related
Observations can be used to pose questions and make predictions to guide an investigation. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S4H02Related
Science knowledge, and the processes used to develop it, are used to meet a need or to solve a problem that directly affects people's lives. View on VCAA ↗
Often booked alongside
Chemical Sciences
Christmas SciTech
Students grow a crystal Christmas tree, mould a bouncy snowball, unmask mystery liquids with a colour-change indicator, make instant snow, launch Santa's sleigh and build a snowball catapult to take home.
Physical Sciences
Electricity
Students build working circuits, classify conductors and insulators, compare series and parallel configurations, and investigate how different energy sources, including hand-powered generators, produce electricity.
Physical Sciences
Heat & Energy
Students investigate how heat moves by observing particle movement, comparing conduction through plastic and metal using an infrared thermometer, and testing how insulators slow heat transfer.
Bring Force & Motion to your school
Tell us your year levels and preferred dates. We'll confirm availability and bring everything with us.
Limited dates each term — one facilitator, one school per day.