Why is gravity different on other planets?

Why is gravity different on other planets?

Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

What do you think gravity might be like on some of the other planets? (More than Earth? Less than Earth?)

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DISCUSS (1 of 2):

Take a look at these apple trees. Which way will the apples from each tree fall?

apple trees on Earth
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DISCUSS (2 of 2):

If you drew arrows showing which way the apples would fall, would they all point in the same direction? Which way would each arrow point?

apple trees on Earth
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planet


1 of 10

a large, round object in outer space that orbits a star
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multiply


2 of 10

to add a number to itself a certain number of times
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divide


3 of 10

to separate into smaller parts or groups
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average


4 of 10

a number that you get when you add up a set of numbers and then divide by how many numbers there are in that set
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graph


5 of 10

an image that helps you understand information
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pattern


6 of 10

something that happens again and again and again in a way that can be predicted
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mass


7 of 10

the amount of matter an object has
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force


8 of 10

a push or a pull
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gravity


9 of 10

an invisible force that pulls any object down, toward the center of a planet, moon, or other object
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asteroid


10 of 10

a rocky object in outer space
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Image & Video Credits

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Other
3 year old Tydus by Trav and Cor
Apollo 16 Lunar rover "Grand Prix" by NASA HD
Apple falling - close up by Manamatata
Apple falling slow motion by Wavebreak_Video
Apple tree graphic by DreamCreation
Apples by Caliproducties
Apples falling by Olegha
Astronauts falling on the moon by Martian Archaeology
Black chairs by Strekoza64
Earth Vector by Lucky Vector
Earth vector by Lucky Vector
Family throwing leaves and having fun by VIAFilms
Five playful teen girls on a mountain trail by TheStacks
Illustration of a team of astronauts by Lorelyn Medina
Jupiter Moons by Jan Sandberg
Magnet picking up nails by Van_Vog
Mars 2003 by JPL
Mars rover in Buckskin selfie by JPL
NASA Moon tour by NASA Goddard
Neptune by Blue Ring Media
Neptune by NASA Commons
Neptune by BlueRingMedia
Newspaper with breaking headline by Castleski
Pencil by Vitaly Zorkin
Pencil by Vitaly Zorkin
Phobos Colour by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Planet vectors by Anatolir
Planet vectors by Anatolir
Satellite images of earth by Anton Shahrai
Saturn's moon by Dotted Yeti
Science concept fun by Abaget
Sky diving contest by MADConcept
Sticky notes by Kirate
Two black chairs by Strekoza64
Two kitties by Tony Campbell
Two men diving from a springboard by Paha_L
Lesson narration:

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this lesson, students discover that gravity exists on all planets and moons, but the amount of gravity is different because it depends on how massive the object is. In the activity, Gravity Jump, students measure how high they can jump on Earth and then calculate how high they would be able to jump on other planets and moons within our Solar System.

Preview activity

Exploration

5 mins

Wrap-Up

10 mins

Extend this lesson

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