1. Draft Gravity: hierarchy of knowledge Gravitational force Solar system
How is an expert’s understanding of the subject organised?
Big idea Fields produce forces
Gravitation, electric, and magnetic forces act at a distance. These can be explained by force fields that extend through space and can move other objects. Objects with mass cause attractive gravitational fields
Electric and magnetic forces are different aspects of one interaction. Magnets cause magnetic fields and changing magnetic fields cause electric fields. Many devices use this interaction to generate motion and electricity.
Unit concept
Gravitational force
Unit concept
Weight
Unit concept
Solar system
Sub-concepts
Gravitational field strength
Sub-concepts
Planet, orbit, satellite,
Facts
Gravity decreases with distance
Facts
Weight = mass x g (field strength)
Weight is in N, mass in kg
Facts
Spinning planet: axis, day length
Phases and eclipses
What scientific, maths, literacy and problem solving skills are developed?
Skill area
Draw conclusions
Deduce a relationship from presented data
Skill area
Develop models
Construct a model of a process or a system
Draft
Note: the content is in draft form and may change when published © Mastery Science, 2018

2. I can use my knowledge to
Gravity: learning stages & objectives
Astrophysicist
Activate
I understand earlier concepts
Acquire
I can make sense of the idea that ..
Apply
In unfamiliar situations, I can use the concept to ..
Analyse
I can use higher order thinking to ..
Gravitational force
Forces
Every object exerts a gravitational force. Gravity holds planets and moons in orbit around larger bodies but depends on distance
Explain effects of gravity on different planets
Compare and contrast gravity with other forces
Weight
Forces
Weight is the force an object exerts on its support and the force which causes it to fall. It is calculated from mass x gravitational field strength
Solve word problems involving mass and weight using the weight formula
Draw conclusions about activities on different planets, from gravity data
Solar system
Earth movement
The solar system is modelled as planets rotating on tilted axes, orbiting the Sun. This explains day and year length, seasons and how planets and moons appear
Explain why places on Earth experience different daylight or amounts of sunlight, from diagrams
Interpret patterns in the properties of planets, from data
Act
I can use my knowledge to
Explore how scientists discover properties of exoplanets, by simulating the transit method
Note: the content is in draft form and may change when published © Mastery Science, 2018

3. (AQA Trilogy combined science)
Gravity: national curriculum
Which parts of KS3 are covered?
AQA KS3 syllabus: Gravity
3.7.2 Universe
Which parts of GCSE are covered?
(AQA Trilogy combined science)
Gravitational force
Gravity
Weight
Draw conclusions
WS 3.5 Draw conclusions from data
Develop models
WS 1.2 Use a variety of models
What resources are there to teach this unit?
Below are some ideas. Visit to see more teaching & assessment resources, including:
Advanced planners with teaching ideas for Acquire
Mastery Practice Books to practise Apply
Diagnostic and summative assessments for Acquire, Apply and Analyse
Teaching
ideas
Act Use a lamp as the star, a ball on a stick as the exoplanet, and a webcam or light probe to measure light intensity. Students investigate the effect of size and speed of the exoplanet. Then, given light intensity plots for 'new' exoplanets, they make deductions.
Note: the content is in draft form and may change when published © Mastery Science, 2018