Download Planets - Gravitational Force

Topic: Topic: Earth and Space Science - Earth’s Place in the Universe
Software: Studio
Planets - Gravitational Force
Lesson Overview
The gravitational force between two planets depends on the mass of each
planet and the distance of the planets from one another. In this activity,
students will explore the various gravitational forces between planets by
calculating the distances and masses of each.
Objectives
○○ Place solar system objects in order as they are in the solar system
○○ Measure the distance between planets in the solar system
○○ Using a formula and given information, determine the gravitational force
between planets
Grade level: 5th - 7th
Lesson Time: 30 Minutes
Key Terms:
Gravitational force
Mass
Plantes
Solar System
Resources:
Answer Key
Planets - Gravitational Force
Data Table
Standards (NGSS and Common Core)
For state specific standards visit edu.zspace.com
Next Generation Science Standards
○○ Earth and Space Science - Earth’s Place in the Universe
• MS-ESS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and
the solar system.
Common Core Connections
○○ Language Arts
• RST.6-8.7 Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of
that information expressed visually.
○○ Mathematics
• MP.2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
• 6.EE.B.6 Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct
simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities.
Differentiation (Δ)
○○ Group students heterogeneously to allow students with a strong command of the English language to
assist in reading or interpreting questions
○○ Enrichment: Students could find real-world problems involving the concept and design solutions to
those problems
○○ Enrichment: Students could work on the discussion questions and lead the class discussion
Planets - Gravitational Force
1
Topic: Topic: Earth and Space Science - Earth’s Place in the Universe
Software: Studio
Introduction
The teacher will ask the students how planets stay in their orbit around the sun. Next, the teacher
will ask if astronauts traveling to the moon experienced weightlessness during space travel. Was
this caused by lack of gravity? In fact, there is gravity in space, between the Earth and the Moon. In
this activity, students will calculate the gravitational force between planets in the solar system and
explore how gravity is affected by mass and distance. Students need to be able to exponents for
these calculations.
Activity
Planets - Gravitational Force
This section will be completed in Studio.
Scene 1
○○ Put the planets in order.
○○ Take a screenshot.
Scene 2
Determine the gravitational force between: Uranus and Neptune; and Uranus and Saturn. (Mass 1 +
Mass 2)/distance squared
○○ Measure the approximate distance between the orbits. 1m = 10,000 km in real life.
○○ Uranus mass approx. 86E24 kg
○○ Neptune mass approx. 102E24 kg
○○ Saturn mass approx. 568E24 kg
Teacher Note: It is important to point out to the students that for the solar system model 1m =
10,000 km. You may want to suggest that students use two significant figures. Students should
recognize that the gravitational force between closer planets and planets with greater mass is
stronger.
Closing
After completing the activity, students will discuss their results, questions, and observations. They
should have noticed that the planets are moving and so the distance between the planets will
change.
Planets - Gravitational Force
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Topic: Topic: Earth and Space Science - Earth’s Place in the Universe
Software: Studio
Questions for Discussion
1. What observations did you make about the gravitational force between the planets?
Answers will vary. Sample Answer: Both the distance between and the mass of the two objects impact
the gravitational force.
2.
Predict: Would the gravitational force between Mars and Jupiter be greater or less than the
gravitational force between Mars and Earth? Defend your answer.
Answers will vary. Sample Answer: Mars and Jupiter will have a larger gravitational force, even though
they are a little farther away from each other.
Δ Investigate Further
Extension Activity: Students can perform research on the forces of gravity on each planet. They can
calculate their weight on each planet.
Planets - Gravitational Force
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Pl ane t s - Gr av i t at i o nal Fo r c e Dat a Tabl e
Appr o x i mat e
Di s t anc e (k m)
Gr av i t at i o nal
Fo r c e
Be t w e e n Ur anu s
and Ne pt u ne
Be t w e e n Sat u r n
and Ur anu s
1m (z s pac e ) = 10 ,0 0 0 k m i n r e al l i f e
(Mas s 1+ Mas s 2)/ di s t anc e 2
Ans w e r Ke y
Pl ane t s - Gr av i t at i o nal Fo r c e Dat a Tabl e
Appr o x i mat e
Di s t anc e (k m)
Gr av i t at i o nal
Fo r c e
Be t w e e n Ur anu s
and Ne pt u ne
1,600,000,000km
3.4E33 km
Be t w e e n Sat u r n
and Ur anu s
1,400,000,000km
2.4E34 km
(Mas s 1+ Mas s 2)/ di s t anc e 2