3-TAS-01 Gravitation

Outcomes

• Pupils can define weight as the force on an object due to its mass.
• Pupils can describe qualitatively the effect of changing distance and masses on the strength of a gravitational force.

Specification References

• 1.8 Identify types of forces

Starter

• Cavendish experiment demonstration

Main Body of Lesson

• Define difference between mass and weight
• Interplanetary Can experiment
• Video clip of moon experiments; link to Newton's Laws of Gravitation
• Bowling Ball and Lycra demonstration followed by pupil experiment
• Introduce gravity as the cause of spherical orbiting planets
  • Mount Everest can't be much taller than it already is. If it were 16km tall instead of 8km then it would collapse under its own weight.

Plenary

• Key phrases crossword

Homework

• Introduction to Alien Planet Project.

Additional Information

Resources Required

• Cavendish experiment
• Bowling Ball
• Lycra sheet
• Clever physics worksheet
• Key phrases crossword

Textbook References

• None

Website References

• A short biography of Henry Cavendish

Skills Addressed

• Obtaining
• Analysis
• Calculation
• Numerical Manipulation
• Written

Safety/Hazards

• Bowling ball is heavy; please refer to the Manual handling section of the Laboratory Lessons Health and Safety Risk Assessment
• General Laboratory Health and Safety Risk Assessment

Notes

• None