Gravity: The Invisible Force

Science Grades 5th Grade 14:33 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the fascinating force of gravity! Learn why things fall down, how mass and distance affect gravity, and what happens when you travel to the moon.

Video Resource

Gravity Compilation: Crash Course Kids

Crash Course Kids

Duration: 14:33
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Gravity is a force that pulls objects towards each other.
  • The more mass an object has, the stronger its gravitational pull.
  • The closer objects are, the stronger the gravitational pull between them.
  • Air resistance affects how quickly objects fall through the air.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define gravity and explain its effects on objects on Earth.
  • Students will be able to explain how mass and distance influence the force of gravity.
  • Students will be able to describe how air resistance affects the rate at which objects fall.
  • Students will be able to describe gravity's effects on objects beyond Earth, like on the moon and in space.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about gravity. Show a short video clip of objects falling (e.g., an apple falling from a tree, a ball being dropped). Introduce the idea that gravity is an invisible force.
  • Watching the Crash Course Kids Video (10 mins)
    Play the 'Gravity Compilation: Crash Course Kids' video. Encourage students to take notes on key concepts as they watch.
  • Discussion: What is Gravity? (10 mins)
    Lead a class discussion about the video. Focus on defining gravity, its effects on Earth, and how it impacts our daily lives. Discuss Isaac Newton and the apple story.
  • Experiment: Air Resistance (15 mins)
    Conduct a simple experiment to demonstrate air resistance. Have students drop two identical pieces of paper, one flat and one crumpled into a ball. Discuss why the crumpled paper falls faster.
  • Gravity and Space (10 mins)
    Discuss how gravity affects objects in space, focusing on the moon and the concept of escaping Earth's gravity. Reiterate the impact of mass and distance.
  • Review and Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review key concepts and answer any remaining questions. Briefly introduce the idea that gravity is different on different planets.

Interactive Exercises

  • Gravity Sort
    Provide students with a set of pictures depicting different scenarios related to gravity (e.g., a person jumping, a satellite orbiting Earth, a ball rolling downhill). Have them sort the pictures into categories based on how gravity is affecting the objects.
  • Mass and Gravity Demonstration
    Use different sized balls (e.g. basketball and tennis ball) to demonstrate that a larger mass has a larger gravitational pull.

Discussion Questions

  • What would happen if there was no gravity on Earth?
  • Why do heavier objects fall at the same rate as lighter objects (in a vacuum)?
  • How does gravity help us stay on Earth?
  • How does the Earth's gravity affect the moon?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Critical Thinking
  • Scientific Reasoning
  • Data Analysis

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is gravity?

Correct Answer: A force that pulls objects together

Question 2:

Who was the scientist who studied gravity?

Correct Answer: Isaac Newton

Question 3:

Which of these has the MOST effect on the pull of gravity?

Correct Answer: Mass

Question 4:

What affects how quickly an object falls through the air?

Correct Answer: Air resistance

Question 5:

Which direction does gravity pull objects on Earth?

Correct Answer: Towards the center of the Earth

Question 6:

What happens to the pull of gravity as two objects get closer together?

Correct Answer: It gets stronger

Question 7:

Why does a feather fall slower than a hammer on Earth?

Correct Answer: Air resistance affects the feather more

Question 8:

What happens to an object's weight as it moves farther away from Earth?

Correct Answer: It decreases

Question 9:

Which of these is an example of gravity in action?

Correct Answer: A leaf falling from a tree

Question 10:

If you were on the moon, would you weigh more or less than on Earth?

Correct Answer: Less

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

__________ is the force that pulls everything toward the ground.

Correct Answer: Gravity

Question 2:

Sir Isaac _________ was the first person to seriously study gravity.

Correct Answer: Newton

Question 3:

The amount of matter in an object is called its __________.

Correct Answer: mass

Question 4:

The Earth's __________ keeps us from flying off into space.

Correct Answer: gravity

Question 5:

When an object falls, __________ __________ pushes against it.

Correct Answer: air resistance

Question 6:

The Earth's gravity pulls things towards the _________ of the Earth.

Correct Answer: center

Question 7:

The moon has __________ gravity than the Earth.

Correct Answer: less

Question 8:

Shooting stars are actually ___________ being pulled to earth.

Correct Answer: meteors

Question 9:

The force of gravity is stronger when objects are ___________ to each other.

Correct Answer: closer

Question 10:

Astronauts must reach a speed called __________ __________ to escape Earth's gravity.

Correct Answer: escape velocity

Educational Standards

5.PS2.1:[Standard] Support an argument, with evidence, that Earth's gravitational force pulls objects downward toward the center of the earth. 5.ESS1:[Standard] Earth’s Place in the Universe

Teaching Materials

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