Time: 60 minutes
Material: computer, projector
Space: classroom
Focus: introduce physics concepts, inquiry-based teaching
Theme: gravity, structure
References
This video will introduce different key concepts of physics related to gravity and the human body, which are listed below:
- Gravity is a force.
- Gravity is related to mass and attraction.
- The human body balance system is developed upon gravity.
- Gravity is important for the development and good functioning of different systems of the body, referring to what is happening to astronauts in the video.
- Gravity is present on the earth but also exists on the moon. Students have already become familiar with the concept of gravity, and they might have mistakenly learnt that there is no gravity on the moon. This is a misconception that needs to be corrected. Gravity is a force occurring between celestial bodies: the moon, the earth, and the sun. Gravity is not just a force of attraction between objects and the earth. Gravity is an attraction force that exists between all objects, everywhere in the universe. This attractive force is present between two planets, two objects, two particles, any physical body having mass.
Step 1
Stories about Gravity
Ask some students to share their stories about gravity to the class.
Step 2
Video and Mentimeter
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CuYx9mZCQA
Prior to watching the video, set up a Mentimeter poll. Having watched the video with the students, engage a discussion.
In order to elicit some key words through brainstorming ideas, use the Mentimeter site to show the key words that the students recall after watching the video.
Depending on your booklet design, ask them to write some of their answers on their booklet. Transfer your mentimeter on their chrome booklet.
Step 3
The Gravity Lecture
Explain gravity, with an example such the analogy of the rocks attracted toward the moon. There is therefore some gravity on the moon.
Many elements are also attracted to earth, this is gravity. The human body on the moon is floating, it is also attracted to the moon just differently. It is just a difference of measure between moon gravitational forces and earth gravitational forces.
This attraction is related to the mass of an object and the gravitational force acting upon it. The mass of an astronaut is the same on earth and on the moon, mass being the amount of matter, (m, in grams, kilograms). The gravitational force on the moon is different than the one on earth, so the attraction due to gravity making the astronaut go down is also different. Therefore, it is the weight of the astronaut that varies, weight being the amount of forces acting on a mass (W, in Newton). Weight depends on the effects of gravitational forces, this attraction generating an acceleration.
W = m * g
Definitions
Step 4
The Stacking Game
Ask the students
Do you have examples of things you have built, or you watched being build?
Constitute groups.
Have them build something with whatever is at their disposal in the classroom. Make them stack things on top of each other.
Example of rules to discuss with the students: a good base of support, some stable foundations, stacking things in a certain way, and respect some alignment in stacking things according to the gravity line.
Invite them to reflect on their body and to imagine that the structure to consider now is their own body.
Step 5
Exit Ticket
Ask the student to take their postural booklet and to name one important thing they learned in class today.
Encourage the students to think of gravity for the next class by using one of the key words and connecting it to their body.
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