Gravity: The Invisible Force Science Ms. Twardowski CMS – 8 Tan

What do YOU know about gravity? With your partner, make a list of everything you know about gravity. There are no right or wrong answers. With your partner, make a list of everything you know about gravity. There are no right or wrong answers. Use these words to help you make your list: weight,the Moon, mass, distance, outer space,etc. Use these words to help you make your list: weight,the Moon, mass, distance, outer space,etc. You have five (5) minutes!... GO! You have five (5) minutes!... GO!

Yes or No? (red/green card) The Moon affects the ocean’s tides. The Moon affects the ocean’s tides.

Guess what?!!! Don’t copy this… Right now you are being pulled downward by the Earth’s gravity; it’s the force that you commonly call ‘your weight’. Right now you are being pulled downward by the Earth’s gravity; it’s the force that you commonly call ‘your weight’. BUT…you are also being pulled on by Mar’s gravity, Pluto’s gravity, and by the gravity of many other planets and stars outside of our solar system. BUT…you are also being pulled on by Mar’s gravity, Pluto’s gravity, and by the gravity of many other planets and stars outside of our solar system.

The Fantastic Four!!! There are four fundamental forces in our universe: There are four fundamental forces in our universe: Strong, Weak, Electromagnetic, AND… Strong, Weak, Electromagnetic, AND… Copy this!!! Gravity: an attractive (pulling) force between objects. That means, ALL objects in the universe! These objects can have a force on one another without even touching! Copy this!!! Gravity: an attractive (pulling) force between objects. That means, ALL objects in the universe! These objects can have a force on one another without even touching!

How does mass affect gravity? Does this question seem familiar? Hint: it’s on the whiteboard! Copy this!! The amount of force between objects depends on its mass. If the mass increases, so does the force of gravity. Copy this!! The amount of force between objects depends on its mass. If the mass increases, so does the force of gravity.

Wait! How did that get in here?! Ms. T. – 9 th grade basketball (1984)

How does distance affect gravity? How about this question? Hint: EQ. Copy this!! If the distance between two objects increases, the force of gravity will decrease; BUT the force of gravity NEVER goes to zero! Copy this!! If the distance between two objects increases, the force of gravity will decrease; BUT the force of gravity NEVER goes to zero!

Our Solar System The Sun and the planets have a gravitational pull on each other, BUT since the Sun is SOOO much more massive than any planet, its gravity dominates the solar system and that’s why planets orbit the Sun. The Sun and the planets have a gravitational pull on each other, BUT since the Sun is SOOO much more massive than any planet, its gravity dominates the solar system and that’s why planets orbit the Sun.

The Earth and Moon The Earth’s gravity is responsible for keeping our Moon in orbit around our planet. The Earth’s gravity is responsible for keeping our Moon in orbit around our planet. The Moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth affects our ocean’s tides. The Moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth affects our ocean’s tides.

Yes or No? (red/green card) The planets of our Solar System revolve around the Sun because the Sun is so massive (more gravity). The planets of our Solar System revolve around the Sun because the Sun is so massive (more gravity).

Yes or No? (red/green card) The two main things that affect gravity are mass and weight. The two main things that affect gravity are mass and weight.

Which statement is true?... Red = #1 Green = #2 1. The Sun has more of an affect on the Earth because it is so big. 2. The Moon has more of an affect on the Earth because it is so much closer to us than the Sun.