For Science Week, 5th Class have been learning all about 'What Friction Is?'. We have been exploring examples of friction, and scenarios where it is an advantage or disadvantage to have too much friction. We have also investigated the frictional force of Air Resistance and of Water Resistance. Focusing on Air Resistance, we experimented with dropping objects of varying weights to witness how ideally objects should reach the ground at the same time (as proven by Galileo). With further investigation, we were able to see the affect of air resistance slowing down very light objects. After a follow up lesson on Wind Energy, during which we learnt about the benefits of Wind farms and Wind turbines, we finished by making paper helicopters (similar to sycamore seeds) of two different sizes. We predicted that the smaller helicopter would hit the ground first, due to smaller propellers and less air resistance. We were correct!
