Virginia SOL 5.3.e

Science5th GradeForce, Motion, and Energy

The Standard

friction is a force that opposes motion.

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify friction when surfaces rub against each other. They show that it acts against an object’s movement and can slow or stop the object.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can draw the direction of friction on a moving object. They can compare surfaces and explain why an object moves farther on one surface than another.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think friction pushes in the same direction as motion. They may believe friction occurs only on rough surfaces or only after an object stops. Some think friction is always harmful.
How to Assess It: Give students a picture of a book sliding right across a table. Ask them to draw and label the friction arrow, then explain its effect.

Lesson moves

Release a toy car from the same ramp height onto tile, carpet, and sandpaper, then measure how far it travels.
Ask, “Why does a rolling ball slow down when nobody touches it?” Students write a claim supported by an observation.
Play Friction Match by pairing motion cards with arrows showing the correct direction of the opposing force.
Examine shoe soles and bicycle brakes, then explain how each design changes grip or stopping.

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