Grade 3 · Unit 6: Forces and movement

Push and pull

Every time something starts, stops or turns, a force is at work.

Forces are pushes and pulls

A force is a push or a pull. You use forces all day: opening a door, kicking a ball, lifting a bag. We cannot see forces, but we can see what they do.

What forces do

Forces can make things start moving or stop. They can make things speed up or slow down. They can change the direction that something is moving in.

When a goalkeeper catches a ball, the push from their hands stops the ball. When a batter hits a cricket ball, the bat changes its direction and speed.

Showing forces with arrows

Scientists draw forces as arrows. The arrow points in the direction of the force. A longer arrow shows a bigger force.

Forces in pairs

In a tug of war, both teams pull on the rope. If both pulls are the same size, the rope does not move. The forces are balanced. If one team pulls harder, the rope moves towards them.

What I learnt

• I know that forces are pushes and pulls.
• I can describe what forces do.
• I can show forces with arrows.