The Gravity of the Situation
Part of Curriculum Unit:May These Forces Be With You
Abstract help
Students will comprehend the nature and cause of the force of gravity.
Activity Description: Students will access internet sites and print matter to acquire information about the force of gravity. They will demonstrate knowledge of this information by means of a class presentation of a real world application that relies on gravity. (ie, parachute, grandfather clock) This presentation will incorporate an explanation of the role of gravity in the example. A diagram of the forces and masses involved should also be included.
Activity Description: Students will access internet sites and print matter to acquire information about the force of gravity. They will demonstrate knowledge of this information by means of a class presentation of a real world application that relies on gravity. (ie, parachute, grandfather clock) This presentation will incorporate an explanation of the role of gravity in the example. A diagram of the forces and masses involved should also be included.
National Standards help
Physical Science Content Standard B: As a result of activities, students should develop an understanding of motions and forces.
Pre-requisite Skills help
Internet access skills; basic reference skills.
Teacher Information help
Procedure with Teaching Strategies
1. Students will obtain information about the force of gravity using the internet sites and text references provided
2. Students will select one aspect of gravity to demonstrate to the class
3. This demonstration will be supplemented with a poster explaining how gravity is a factor in the process/activity demonstrated
Classroom Management: The vocabulary should be previously assigned to minimize class time required for preliminary activities, since consideration must be given to the amount of time used for demonstrations. Students might work in pairs or small groups to accomplish this project in a shorter time frame, as well.
1. Students will obtain information about the force of gravity using the internet sites and text references provided
2. Students will select one aspect of gravity to demonstrate to the class
3. This demonstration will be supplemented with a poster explaining how gravity is a factor in the process/activity demonstrated
Classroom Management: The vocabulary should be previously assigned to minimize class time required for preliminary activities, since consideration must be given to the amount of time used for demonstrations. Students might work in pairs or small groups to accomplish this project in a shorter time frame, as well.
Student Activity help
Activity Description: Students will access internet sites and print matter to acquire information about the force of gravity. They will demonstrate knowledge of this information by means of a class presentation of a real world application that relies on gravity. (ie, parachute, grandfather clock) This presentation will incorporate an explanation of the role of gravity in the example. A diagram of the forces and masses involved should also be included.
Materials:
1. student computer with internet access
2. additional physics references
3. poster board, markers
4. other materials for demonstrations, as recommended by students
Vocabulary:
1. Force
2. Counterweight
3. Orbit
4. Gravity
5. G-forces
6. Pendulum
7. Accelerometer
8. Geotropism
9. Plumb bob
10. Air resistance
11. Geosynchronous
12. Projectile
13. Balance
14. Mass
15. Siphon
16. Weight
Resources:
1. Disney’s One Saturday Morning http://disney.go.com/DisneyTelevision/OneSaturdayMorning/sciencecourt/activities/gravity.html
2. Virtual Laboratory—Cannon http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/Cannon/
3. The Gravity Tutorial http://www.curtin.edu.au/curtin/dept/phys-sci/gravity/index2.htm
4. Law of Universal Gravitation http://www.curtin.edu.au/curtin/dept/phys-sci/gravity/index2.htm
5. Gravity http://oldsci.eiu.edu/physics/DDavis/3050/Ch8Grv/ToC.html
6. Explore Gravity http://explorezone.com/101/gravity.htm
7. Gravity http://www.kapili.com/physics4kids/motion/gravity.html
8. VanCleave, Janice. Gravity, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1993.
9. Fleisher, Paul. Secrets of the Universe, Aatheneum, New York, 1987.
10. Daniels, Patricia, Allan Fallow, and Karin Kinney, Editorial Directors. Physical Forces, Time-Life, Alexandria, Virginia, 1993.
11. Lyon, Sue. Projects in Physics, Marshall Cavendish, Inc., New York, 1988.
Materials:
1. student computer with internet access
2. additional physics references
3. poster board, markers
4. other materials for demonstrations, as recommended by students
Vocabulary:
1. Force
2. Counterweight
3. Orbit
4. Gravity
5. G-forces
6. Pendulum
7. Accelerometer
8. Geotropism
9. Plumb bob
10. Air resistance
11. Geosynchronous
12. Projectile
13. Balance
14. Mass
15. Siphon
16. Weight
Resources:
1. Disney’s One Saturday Morning http://disney.go.com/DisneyTelevision/OneSaturdayMorning/sciencecourt/activities/gravity.html
2. Virtual Laboratory—Cannon http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/Cannon/
3. The Gravity Tutorial http://www.curtin.edu.au/curtin/dept/phys-sci/gravity/index2.htm
4. Law of Universal Gravitation http://www.curtin.edu.au/curtin/dept/phys-sci/gravity/index2.htm
5. Gravity http://oldsci.eiu.edu/physics/DDavis/3050/Ch8Grv/ToC.html
6. Explore Gravity http://explorezone.com/101/gravity.htm
7. Gravity http://www.kapili.com/physics4kids/motion/gravity.html
8. VanCleave, Janice. Gravity, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1993.
9. Fleisher, Paul. Secrets of the Universe, Aatheneum, New York, 1987.
10. Daniels, Patricia, Allan Fallow, and Karin Kinney, Editorial Directors. Physical Forces, Time-Life, Alexandria, Virginia, 1993.
11. Lyon, Sue. Projects in Physics, Marshall Cavendish, Inc., New York, 1988.
Assessment help
Performance Assessment: Students should be previously provided with a checklist of evaluation items, to include:
• knowledge of the information presented
• clarity of the presentation
• mechanics of the demonstration
• correctness of supporting documentation
A 1-5 rubric may be applied to the above checklist.
• knowledge of the information presented
• clarity of the presentation
• mechanics of the demonstration
• correctness of supporting documentation
A 1-5 rubric may be applied to the above checklist.
Enrichment / Alternative Activity help
Cross-Curricular:
Mathematics: Refer to website http://disney.go.com/DisneyTelevision/OneSaturdayMorning/sciencecourt/activities/gravity.html (Disney’s One Saturday Morning) to calculate your weight on other planets and even in outer space!
Social Studies: Where on the earth would you weight the least? The most? Remember that it is altitude that is a factor in weight.
Mathematics: Refer to website http://disney.go.com/DisneyTelevision/OneSaturdayMorning/sciencecourt/activities/gravity.html (Disney’s One Saturday Morning) to calculate your weight on other planets and even in outer space!
Social Studies: Where on the earth would you weight the least? The most? Remember that it is altitude that is a factor in weight.
Technology Requirements/Integration help
Internet access
Reference access (LMC)
Reference access (LMC)