1. Notes Science Gravity and Celestial Motion Tennessee SPI Objective:
Illustrate how gravity controls the motion of objects in the solar system.
Essential Question(s)
1) What is rotation (spinning)?
2) What is a revolution (orbiting)?
3) How does gravity cause these motions?
I Can Statement
I can describe the motion of celestial object caused by gravity.
Success Criteria
I can prove that I understand this topic by diagraming the
movements (rotation and revolution) of the Earth and the Sun.

2. Formation of Our Solar System
Gravity is a "pulling" force that causes every particle of matter to be attracted to every other particle of matter
Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
This is called the nebular theory (watch video)
Video Link (3:05): The Nebular Theory

3. Nebulas rotate due to the force of gravity.
Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
Nebulas are huge clouds of cosmic dust consisting of small particles of matter left over from exploded stars.
Nebulas rotate due to the force of gravity.

4. Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
A) Over time, gravity pulled the particles (atoms and molecules) in the nebula together into clumps.

5. Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
B) Each time another particle was added to a clump by gravity, the mass and gravity of the clump increased.
This enabled each clump to attract even more matter.
Mass
Increased
More
Gravity
Mass
Increased
More Gravity
More
Gravity
Mass
Increased
More Gravity
Mass
Increased

6. Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
C) Larger clumps had stronger gravity and pulled even more clumps together.

7. This explains the round (spherical) shape of stars and planets.
Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
D) The gravity from these large clumps pulled in all directions forming a roughly spherical shape.
This explains the round (spherical) shape of stars and planets.
The Sun
Jupiter
Earth

8. This motion is called rotation.
Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
E) Gravity caused these large clumps to start spinning.
This motion is called rotation.
This is why the sun, planets, and moons rotate.

9. This is how our sun was formed
Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
F) After a huge mass of clumps were pulled together, the gravity caused nuclear fusion to occur, and a new star was “born.”
This is how our sun was formed

10. This is how planet Earth was formed
Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
G) Smaller masses of clumps formed into planets and moons.
This is how planet Earth was formed

11. Watch these video clips (Write down 3 facts from each video)
Gravity formed our solar system from a nebula
Watch these video clips
(Write down 3 facts from each video)
Link 01 (2:15) Birth of Our Solar System
Link 02 (4:27) Formation of Our Solar System

12. Gravity causes our sun and planets to rotate (spin)
Rotation-when an object spins on its axis
Gravity causes our planets and moons to revolve (orbit)
Revolution-when an object circles around another object
Gravity keeps Earth, and all the other planets, from “flying off” into space as they revolve (orbit) around the sun.
Question: What keeps our planet from falling into the sun?
Answer: The inertia (momentum) of the planet’s lateral (sideways) motion as it revolves around the sun.

13. Gravity and Celestial Motion
SPI
Gravity and Celestial Motion
Notes
Science
Motion Demonstration: (need three students)
One to be the Sun, One to be Earth, and One to be the Moon
Clear out some space, and position each student
First have each student demonstrate rotation
Then have the Earth and Moon demonstrate revolution
Finally ask all three to rotate while at the same time the Earth and Moon revolve around the sun. Enjoy the laughs!

14. Motion Demonstration: Show this computer simulation
Celestial Motion
The Sun rotates.
The Earth rotates.
The Moon rotates.
Motion Demonstration: Show this computer simulation
Link: Gravity and Orbits from the University of Colorado
The Earth revolves (orbits) around the sun.
Likewise, the Moon revolves (orbits) around the Earth.
1) You can show the Sun, Earth, and Moon at the same time.
2) You can show the direction of gravity.
3) You can adjust the revolution speed.
4) You can show the orbital paths.
5) Just for Fun: You can “turn off” the gravity.
The Sun
Earth
Moon

15. Notes Science Gravity and Celestial Motion
SPI
Gravity and Celestial Motion
Notes
Science
Gravity keeps the moon from “flying off” as it orbits the Earth
(See Holt Online Ch15: Sect 4 Visual Concepts)
Rotation
Revolution

16. Gravity and Celestial Motion
Review
Science
SPI
Gravity and Celestial Motion
What is one way gravity helped form our solar system
and planets?
A) By pushing matter apart
B) By pulling matter together
What is another way gravity helped form our solar
system and planets?
A) By making objects revolve and rotate
B) By making objects move in straight lines
Contrast revolution and rotation.
A) Revolve = circling around another object
Rotate = spinning on an axis
B) Revolving is faster than rotation & has more gravity

17. Gravity and Celestial Motion
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Gravity and Celestial Motion
Question
Science

18. Gravity and Celestial Motion
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Gravity and Celestial Motion
Question
Science

19. Gravity and Celestial Motion
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Gravity and Celestial Motion
Question
Science

20. Gravity and Celestial Motion
SPI
Gravity and Celestial Motion
Question
Science
Wrong!

21. Gravity and Celestial Motion
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Gravity and Celestial Motion
Question
Science

22. Gravity and Celestial Motion
Notes
SPI
Gravity and Celestial Motion
Science
Brainpop Videos
View the Brainpop video titled “Gravity”
View the Brainpop video titled “Solar System”
Link: Brainpop Website
User name: (get this from your teacher)
Password: (get this from your teacher)
Task 01:
Write down 5 things that catch your attention as your watch
each video.
Task 02: Complete the Brainpop quizzes.