Streamlined shapes
Discovering what factors affect the speed of an object
This activity will allow students a practical opportunity to apply the formula of speed to establish and consider why streamlined shapes are advantageous. This practical experiment offers students an opportunity to explore the different forces involved in motion as well as how different shapes interact with these forces.
This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths, design and technology (DT) and science.
Activity: Discovering what factors affect the speed of an object
Students will investigate the effect of different shapes on the speed of a falling object by following our "Which Shape Falls Fastest?" experiment. Here, students will investigate the effect of different shapes on the speed of a falling object. They will discuss why air and water might not be the best mediums to use in the lab to test the speed of the falling object, how using wallpaper paste can increase the accuracy of the experiment, and how to ensure the experiment is reliable, accurate, and precise. They will also delve into the forces acting on the object and any additional observations from the experiment.
This activity gives students the opportunity to explain what their results show and relate it back to the science they have learnt previously on forces. The emphasis of the conclusion will be how the evidence they collected backs up their original prediction. The decisions on shapes, number of repeat readings and the method of testing the speed, should be left up to individual groups.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about streamlined shapes.
The engineering context
From designing Formula One cars to boats and aircraft, understanding the factors that affect the speed of an object, such as shape, is crucial for a successful career in mechanical engineering.
Learning about which shape falls fastest but also to understanding why it falls fastest by understanding about the factors that impact speed and efficiency will provide a foundational knowledge of these important physics principles.
Suggested learning outcomes
At the end of the activity students will be able to identify objects that can travel more quickly through fluids. More than this, learners will be able to explain why streamlined objects can travel faster in terms of the shape helping the object to act against air or water resistance. They’ll also have an understanding balanced and unbalanced forces using arrow diagrams. Finally, they’ll be able to design an investigation to test the factors effecting the speed of an object.
Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download (including film clips!), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Download our classroom lesson plan below.
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