Knowledge and Understanding of Science: Forces

The Knowledge and understanding guide: forces provides background scientific knowledge and understanding for teachers. It is not intended or suitable for direct use with students. It comprises nine sections which could each be the focus of an individual study session. Each includes ‘tasks’, ‘discussions’, ‘what the scientists say’, ‘further thoughts’ and ‘concepts’. The nine sections cover the aspects of forces described in the National Curriculum in two parts: sections 1-6 cover levels one to five; sections 7-9 cover levels six and seven.

The reader is involved in self-assessment throughout the book as their own ideas are considered against those given in the text. At key points there are self-assessment sections which provide exercises on forces and also give feedback through the explanations in the commentary sections. Answers to questions are provided and a checklist of main concepts is given. To help with the planning there is a resource section at the end of the book which lists the equipment needed to carry out the tasks in each section.

First published in 1991, a second revised version was published in 1992, with correction of some misleading diagrams and the addition of a final section on resources.

[b]Contents[/b] (second edition)
Introduction
Section 1: Finding out about forces
Section 2: What do forces do?
Self-assessment: Part 1
Section 3: Gravity
Section 4: Mass and weight
Self-assessment: Part 2
Section 5: floating and sinking
Self-assessment: Part 3
Section 6: Structures
Section 7: More on movement
Section 8: Resistance to movement
Section 9: Pressure
Self-assessment: Part 4
Glossary
Resources