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Topic: 6E Forces in action
Plimsoll sneakers feature a line around the sole - you can walk in puddles and keep your feet dry, as long as the water level is below the line. However the original Plimsoll line was altogether more significant. The Bristol-born Liberal politician, Samuel Plimsoll, devoted years of his life to ensuring a bill was passed by Parliament to make shipping safer by painting a simple line on the side of every vessel to ensure against overloading.
In this activity children learn about buoyancy and how it is affected by different water conditions. They will learn the importance of a Plimsoll Line and investigate where to draw one on a boat.
You will need Acrobat
Reader installed to open the activity sheets.
You will also need the latest version of the flash player to be able to play swf files.
· that Samuel Plimsoll helped to prevent overloading of ships
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 2 successfully.
· that the centre of mass of a boat can be affected by overloading
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 2 successfully.
· that when an object is submerged in water, the water provides an upward force (upthrust) on it
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 3 successfully.
· that the type of water affects the upthrust
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 3 successfully.
Science:
QCA Unit 6E: Forces in action
· that several forces may act on one object
· to represent the direction of forces by arrows
· to repeat measurements to check them
· to evaluate repeated measures
Scientific enquiry
· use simple equipment and materials appropriately and take action to control risks
· make systematic observations and measurements
· check observations and measurements by repeating them where appropriate
· make comparisons and identify simple patterns
· use observations and measurements to draw conclusions
· use scientific knowledge to explain observations
Introducing the activity
· Display Page 1 of the activity through a data projector or on an OHT. Ask the children to discuss the comments made by the children on Page 1. What do they think the Plimsoll line is for?
Leading the main activity
· Display Page 2 through a data projector or on an OHT. Print off copies for the children. Group the children to discuss the information presented. Give each group a piece of information to research further and present to the rest of the class. Discuss upthrust as a class and its importance in buoyancy.
· Display Page 3 through a data projector or on an OHT. Print off copies for the children. Discuss what they will be investigating and how they will go about it. Plan as a class or in groups. Children to draw their boats and indicate the forces acting on it. Children to discuss where they drew their line and explain why.
The Open University
A summary of the Coast programme discussing the use of the Plimsoll Line
Wikipedia
Includes a further useful description of what a loading line is and a history of its use and development.
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