Contact & Non-Contact Forces

ScienceForces & MotionAges 7–8

Notice that some forces need contact between two objects (contact forces) while magnetic forces can act at a distance (non-contact forces)

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Teaching Table

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Sort forces by whether the interacting objects need to touch.

Activity

Follow this model in an accessible mode before attempting independent work. Graph ordering is not learner mastery; revisit prerequisites if the guided task still needs full modeling.

Policy

Check readiness rather than assuming source graph order establishes attainment.

Use force cards. Optional adult demonstration uses a large enclosed magnet and steel object, away from mouths and electronics; avoid loose powerful magnets. Open Show (S), then Guided (G), then Try (T). Hide earlier work and keys before Try. Use only the supplied stage material; do not invent additional cards. Pause or split the session if needed.

Materials are ready in each step. Use them on screen or print just the current step. Put teaching examples aside before the learner tries.

What this lesson covers and its limits

These are bounded opportunities, not learner attainment. Partial and blocked source requirements remain so.

partial: Notice that some forces need contact between two objects (contact forces) while magnetic forces can act at a distance (non-contact forces)
Sorting and optional demonstration, not measurement of force magnitude.
partial: Define contact forces as those needing objects to touch (e.g. push, pull, friction)
Sorting and optional demonstration, not measurement of force magnitude.
partial: Define non-contact forces as those acting at a distance (e.g. magnetism)
Sorting and optional demonstration, not measurement of force magnitude.
partial: Sort examples of forces into contact and non-contact categories
Sorting and optional demonstration, not measurement of force magnitude.
partial: Can {{name}} explain why you have to touch a ball to kick it, but a magnet can pull a paperclip without touching it?
Sorting and optional demonstration, not measurement of force magnitude.

Sorting and optional demonstration, not measurement of force magnitude.

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Sort forces by whether the interacting objects need to touch.

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Check understanding

Define contact forces as those needing objects to touch (e.g. push, pull, friction)
Define non-contact forces as those acting at a distance (e.g. magnetism)
Sort examples of forces into contact and non-contact categories

“Can your child explain why you have to touch a ball to kick it, but a magnet can pull a paperclip without touching it?”

Curriculum record

Type: Conceptual
Subject: Science
Domain: Forces & Motion
Age range: Ages 7–8

Standards

uk-nc-2013:Y3.Sci.FM.2