The Great Train Show - forces in context

The Great Train Show is relevant to Science, CDT, History and Geography at KS 1 KS2, KS3 and KS4

The Great Train Show is really a show about forces, but because I like trains and think that just talking about forces in the abstract can be rather dry and boring I use the problems of making a fast, efficient and effective railway system as a context to explore forces in.

This show uses ideas about forces, motion and friction to explore how railways were invented and why railways need viaducts and tunnels; how arch bridges work; why railway rails are the shape they are; how a train really stays on the tracks; and how to make the fastest train in the world.

Key Concepts:

Balanced and unbalanced forces. Type of force (pulls and pushes, field forces) Railways as an efficient and environmentally friendly form of transport. Friction as a force that opposes motion. Propulsion of vehicles by friction between wheel and rail (ground). Air resistance and streamlining. Action of an arch as a compression structure. Self-steering action of coned wheel treads.

USE YOUR BROWSER'S 'BACK' BUTTON TO RETURN TO THE PREVIOUS PAGE