Forces (Key Stage Three)

These materials use the BLOODHOUND SSC land speed attempt as a context for teaching about forces, particularly forward thrust and frictional forces. The BLOODHOUND SuperSonic Car (SSC) land-speed attempt aims to reach a target speed of 1000 miles per hour.

A very large forward driving force is required to propel the vehicle to these speeds. Students make a ‘launcher’ that will push a model car across the floor.

Using this set-up, students can investigate a range of factors:

*Different forces on the same car (constant mass)

*Same force, on same car but with different masses

*The effect of the surface that the car is travelling over (friction force) 

Students investigate different materials to consider factors about the brake discs and pads that might affect the braking. Further activities, supporting worksheets and links to videos are provided.

This resource was produced by the National STEM Learning Centre and Network for BLOODHOUND SSC.