Wheels Help Us Move

Looking Around 2 — Means of Transport. Wheels on bicycles, cars, and carts are central to how we travel, matching this transport unit closely.

• A wheel is round and can roll.
• Wheels make it much easier to move heavy things than dragging them.
• Wheels are used on bicycles, cars, trolleys, and suitcases.

Verbal: A wheel rolls smoothly along the ground, so pushing something on wheels needs less effort than dragging it flat along the ground.

Symbolic: Dragging (no wheels) = more effort, more rubbing. Rolling (with wheels) = less effort, smooth movement.

Level 1 — What is a wheel?

A wheel is a round object that turns and rolls, like on a bicycle or a toy car.

Level 1 — Why wheels help

Rolling a heavy suitcase on wheels is much easier than dragging it flat.

Level 2 — Wheels and friction

Rolling has much less rubbing (friction) against the ground than sliding or dragging.

Level 2 — India

Bullock carts with large wooden wheels have carried goods on Indian roads for a very long time.

Why is it easier to pull a suitcase with wheels than one without wheels?

Step 1 — A suitcase without wheels drags flat on the ground, rubbing a lot.
Step 2 — A suitcase with wheels rolls smoothly, with much less rubbing.
Step 3 — Less rubbing means less effort is needed to move it.
Answer: Wheels make it easier to move heavy things.

• What shape is a wheel?
• Why is a trolley with wheels easier to move than one without?
• Name two things at home that have wheels.

Stretch: Look at a bicycle, a car, and an office chair. Count and compare how many wheels each has.

Revision tip: Remember: wheels roll and reduce rubbing, making it easier to move heavy things.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Wheels Help Us Move.