Free activity companion · Lesson Worlds
Compare friction across surfaces
Why does the same push produce different motion?
Open FrictionThe activity and this guide are free. No account is needed. Preview the resource and choose the depth of discussion for your learners.
Make a prediction and investigate
Compare the block’s motion on two surface settings using the same initial push. Record the setting and stopping behaviour.
Controls in the actual lab
- Friction: starts at 0.4 ; available range 0.05–0.85 .
Rougher contact, more friction, shorter slide. The push can be the same — the surface decides how far you go.
Discuss the evidence
Explain where motion is reduced and which observation supports your explanation.
Try it beyond the activity
Think of a shoe sole and an ice skate. Explain why their intended uses call for different amounts of friction.
Record your thinking
My prediction and reason:
What I changed and held fixed:
What I observed:
My explanation and next question:
Sources and limits
This companion uses the published Friction activity and its learning guidance. Review any original sources linked there. It is a discussion plan by Lesson Worlds, not a scored assessment, a standards certification, or evidence of learning gains.
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Families and educators · choose by prior knowledge
Learning goal: Rougher contact, more friction, shorter slide. The push can be the same — the surface decides how far you go.
Before you begin: Read the controls for Friction. Make one prediction before changing a setting.
Check understanding: Ask for one observation, the evidence that supports it, and a question to investigate next.
A simulation simplifies the real world. Explain which conditions stayed fixed; a successful run alone does not demonstrate mastery.
Activity and guide by Lesson Worlds. About the platform.
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