Begin the lesson by discussing everyday experiences with gravity, such as dropping objects or jumping. This helps students relate to the concept of gravitational force.
Go to the LessonLesson Plans
Non-contact Forces – Gravitational Force
Learning Objectives
- Understand that gravitational force is a non-contact force acting on all objects, giving them weight and causing them to fall when unsupported.
- Explain how gravity influences the movement of water on Earth, including the formation of rivers and streams, and its role in the water cycle.
- Describe how the gravitational pull of the moon and sun affects ocean tides and the implications for marine life and human activities.
- Recognize that gravitational force is always attractive and dependent on the mass of objects and the distance between them.
- Understand the role of the sun's gravitational pull in maintaining the orbit of planets and other objects in the solar system.
Introduction and Hook
Introduce the concept of gravity as a non-contact force that acts on all objects, giving them weight and causing them to fall when unsupported.
Direct Instruction
Explain how gravity influences the movement of water on Earth, including the formation of rivers and streams, and its role in the water cycle.
Discuss the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on ocean tides and its implications for marine life and human activities.
Watch the video 'Gravitational Force' to understand how gravity pulls objects towards the Earth and maintains the planets in orbit.
Guided Exploration
Explore the concept of terminal velocity and air resistance by watching the video 'Terminal Velocity and Air Resistance'. This video demonstrates how gravity and drag forces interact during free fall.
Engage students in a discussion about how gravity affects everyday objects, using examples like a pencil on a table.
Hands-On Activity
Conduct an experiment to observe gravity's effect by dropping objects of different masses from the same height and recording their fall times.
Use the 'Misconceptions in Science – Mass, Gravity and Air Resistance' video to address common misconceptions about gravity and mass.
Independent Practice
Have students complete the 'Forces and Motion' assessment to apply their understanding of gravitational force and motion.
Encourage students to explore the 'Magnitude and Direction of Forces' assessment to deepen their understanding of how force magnitude and direction affect motion.
Check for Understanding
Facilitate a class discussion to review key concepts, asking students to explain how gravity affects the movement of water and tides.
Use the 'Balanced and Unbalanced Forces' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of gravitational force in various scenarios.
Review and Reflection
Encourage students to reflect on what they have learned about gravity and its effects on Earth and the solar system.
Watch the 'Gravity – In a Minute' video to reinforce the concept of gravity as a non-contact force and its impact on objects with mass.
Assessment and Extension
Administer the 'Gravity' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of gravitational principles and their ability to apply these concepts.
Try the Quiz
Encourage students to explore further by watching the 'Gravity – Lighthouse Lab Quiz Edition' video, which discusses gravity's role in the universe.
