What students learn in AC9S4U03
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of How forces can be exerted by one object on another.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: identify how forces can be exerted by one object on another and investigate the effect of frictional, gravitational and magnetic forces on the motion of objects.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- exploring the effect of magnets on other magnets and how magnetic forces can pull objects from a distance exploring the positive and negative effects of friction on their everyday experiences, such as how friction causes objects to slow down and stop
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: identify how forces can be exerted by one object on another and investigate the effect of frictional, gravitational and magnetic forces on the motion of objects
- E1: exploring the effect of magnets on other magnets and how magnetic forces can pull objects from a distance
- E2: exploring the positive and negative effects of friction on their everyday experiences, such as how friction causes objects to slow down and stop
- E3: recognising that gravity is the force that pulls all objects to towards the centre of Earth and that gravitational force acts on an object regardless of whether it is moving or not moving
- E4: observing how the pushing force of a liquid enables an object to float
- E5: investigating the effect of forces on the movement of objects in traditional First Nations Australians’ children’s instructive toys and games (teaching context)
- E6: examining shoe sole design and identifying patterns in sole design and use related to friction
- E7: watching a video of astronauts walking on the moon or dropping objects on its surface, and discussing the force they are observing
- E8: exploring how force arrows can be used to represent the direction and magnitude of forces acting on an object
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9S4U03 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Describing what is seen without connecting it to a question, pattern or prediction.
- Using everyday words only and missing simple scientific vocabulary.
- Changing more than one thing in an investigation, which makes the comparison unfair.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9S4U03 — identify how forces can be exerted by one object on another and investigate the effect of frictional, gravitational and magnetic forces on the motion of objects |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 4 Science: closest match in Physical sciences. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 2 Science: closest content focus for How forces can be exerted by one object on another... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 4 NGSS science closest topic match for How forces can be exerted by one object on another.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 2 / Year 4: closest programme-of-study match for How forces can be exerted by one object on another.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 4 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 2 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for How forces can be exerted by one object on another.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 4 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for How forces can be exerted by one object on another.... |