Friction Lesson Plans

Students work in groups to conduct experiments the demonstrate the differences between static and kinetic friction. They consider how friction affects us in our everyday lives, determine the effects of weight on friction and complete a worksheet.

Learners compare and contrast the movement of objects on different surfaces, experimenting with friction and forces of motion. This friction lesson has numerous online tools including worksheets and virtual activities; the option is also available to use offline resources.

Students demonstrate the concept of friction by conducting an experiment. In this friction lesson, students move objects across various surfaces to understand how friction works. Students discuss predictions and the outcome.

Students explore force and friction. In this force and friction lesson, students discover everyday examples of how  friction helps and hinders things we do. Students create a ramp to test the speed of their car. Students use different surfaces and record the results.

Students investigate how friction effects the movement of a block across surface areas. In this friction lesson plan, students experiment with five different surfaces to determine how each effects the movement of a block across them. They experiment with a smooth surface, wax paper, a paper towel, course and find sand paper. They predict and record the results on a graphing worksheet.

Students explore the concept of friction.  In this friction instructional activity, students learn what friction is and does by doing an experiment in which students rub their hands on various objects to feel the heat.  Students then use sandpaper and wood blocks to observe the results of rubbing these objects together. 

Ninth graders experiment with everyday objects to determine the frictional effects on motion. In this friction lesson, 9th graders determine how the type of material, weight, surface area, and speed of sliding objects influences the effects of friction on the object's motion. They identify motions that require friction and others that do not.

Young scholars identify the factors affecting friction. In this physics instructional activity, students construct their own rocket car and race them. They graph the average speeds and discuss how lubricants affect friction between rubbing surfaces.

Students investigate that friction is a force, they explore the effect of friction on moving objects, and they compare distances an object travels down an inclined slope that has different kinds of surface resistance.

Students explore friction.  In this middle school science/mathematics lesson, students collect and analyze data as they investigate the role of frictional force on motion.  Students examine their results to see when more force was needed to move the block and note the corresponding surface.