UNIT TITLE

UNIT TITLE: Gravity and Space	LESSONS

Lesson 1	Unit Title: Gravity and Space Caretaker: DO	Unit No
Lesson Title: Gravity and Weight		NC Ref:
Objectives: MK - Weight is a result of gravity. Gravity pulls things to centre of earth. Key words gravity, newton and weight SK - Weight = mass X gravitational strength. Gravitational strength on earth is 10N/Kg. Newton worked out how to use ideas about gravity. Why spacecraft should have small mass CK - Gravitational strength is not the same at all points on earth
Lesson outline: Horsforth Commentary Starter: Have two boxes on the front desk. Don't let the kids touch them or see what's inside. One box should be small and full of something heavy. The other should be large and empty. Ask them which is heaviest and they should try to explain their answer. Main: Practical Work: Set up lots of objects around the room. The objects should show what their mass is in Kilograms. The class make a note of the object and its mass. Then they use a newton meter to measure its weight in newtons. They enter their results into a table. Conclusions: Try to draw out of them the difference ( numerically ) between the mass and the weight. They should find that the weight is X10 more than the mass Explain that mass is the amount of matter ( stuff ) an object has. Gravity pulls down on this mass which gives the mass weight. Mass is measured in kilograms(Kg) and weight is measured in newtons (N). The unit of gravity is N/Kg. To calculate an object's weight we use:- Weight ( in N ) = Mass ( in Kg ) X Gravitional strength ( N/KG ) The gravitational field strength on earth is 10 N/Kg Notes: Class copy the text above into their books Q+A: Put a few simple questions to them Eg if a person has a mass of 57Kg how much will they weigh? Try introducing grams Eg if a cup has a mass of 600grams how much will it weigh? **If ahead of time OR the group is struggling with the calculation side of things, you could do worksheet (first part) 9Ja/1 here The Direction of Gravity: Use page 134 of ES9. They read the bottom half of the page and answer Q4 and Q5. Make sure they copy the diagram for Q5 Plenary Activity:** Revisit the two boxes. Show what's inside them. Ask the students to explain why the small (full) box weighs more than the large (empty) box. Answer: the small box has more mass. Gravity pulls down on this mass to give it a large weight. The large box has only a little mass. Gravity pulls down on this little mass to give a little weight.			5mins 15mins 5mins 5mins 5mins 5mins 10mins 5mins
Homework Suggestion: Worksheets: Lower groups - 9Ja/1 Higher groups - 9Ja/1 and/or 9Ja/2 or 9Ja/3
Video Clips:
Resources: lots of small objects with their masses labelled, newton meters, string, books(ES9) 1 large empty box, 1 small full box
Worksheets: 9Ja/1 9Ja/2 9Ja/3
Risk Assessment: Care should be taken not to drop weights onto ones feet

Lesson 2	Unit Title: Gravity and Space Caretaker: DO	Unit No
Lesson Title: Going To The Moon		NC Ref:
Objectives: MK - Strength of gravity is different on different planets SK - How to calculate weight on other planets. Gravitational strength decreases with increase in distance from the planet and its implications for space travel CK - Why astronauts are weightless in space. How to achieve weightlessness without going into orbit
Lesson outline: Horsforth Commentary : Starter activity: Split the whiteboard into 2. On one side put a selection of masses - they have to work out the weights. On the other side put some weights - they have to work out the masses. Main course: Ask class to describe a journey to the Moon, from the rocket taking off to it landing on the Moon. Ask them about the strength of gravity at each stage and how it will effect the mass and weight of the rocket. Use the cut and stick exercise 9Jb/1 Explain that gravity is different strengths on different planets. So although an object's mass always stays the same, its weight will change depending which planet it is on. Do worksheet 9Jb/2 on gravity and weights on other planets. Give answers at when most have finished When they have finished the worksheet they can use the bathroom scales to find their mass. They write this in their books and calculate how much they will weigh on each of the planets Plenary: Pose the question : How much will they weigh if gravity is zero?			Timings: 10mins 5mins 20mins 5mins 10mins 5mins 2mins
Homework Suggestion: All groups to do worksheet 9Jb/3 Higher groups could also do 9Jb/5 EVERYBODY SHOULD BRING IN A SMALL DRINKS BOTTLE FOR NEXT LESSON
Video Clips:
Resources: Scissors glue
Worksheets: Worksheets 9Jb/1 9Jb/2 9Jb/3 9Jb/5(only higher groups)
Risk Assessment: No obvious risks

Lesson 3	Unit Title: Gravity and Space Caretaker: DO	Unit No
Lesson Title: Rocket Investigation		NC Ref:
Objectives: MK - To develop investigation skills SK - To develop investigation skills CK - To develop investigation skills
Lesson outline: Horsforth Commentary : To plan rocket investigation and build model rocket ( may need to extend this over 2 lessons ) Starter activity: Pose the question: does it matter how much mass a rocket has. If it does matter, why does it matter. Answer: a rocket with a smaller mass will need less force to escape the earth's gravitational field. Main course: The class have to plan an investigation to see how mass effects the distance a rocket can be fired. The experiment will involve filling the water rockets with different amounts on water and firing them at an angle (approx 45 deg ) and seeing how far they go. It would probably be a good idea here to demo a rocket being fired. When they have showed their plan they can begin to build their rocket - make the fins and nose cone etc Plenary:			Timings
Homework Suggestion: Could finish plan for homework or finish the rocket building
Video Clips:
Resources: Stiff card, cellotape, scissors, felt tips , pump, the rocket kit
Worksheets:
Risk Assessment: eye proptection should be worn when using pumps. Care should be taken to ensure rockets are pointing away from people and objects.

Lesson 4	Unit Title: Gravity and Space Caretaker: DO	Unit No
Lesson Title: Rocket Investigation Continued		NC Ref:
Objectives: MK - To develop investigation skills SK - To develop investigation skills CK - To develop investigation skills
Lesson outline: Horsforth Commentary : Either continue planning and building the rocket or carry out the experiment and launch them. Starter activity: Main course: Once they finished the experiment they can start on their conclusions and evaluation etc Plenary:			Timings:
Homework Suggestion: Could finish the experimental write-up
Video Clips:
Resources: pumps
Worksheets:
Risk Assessment: eye proptection should be worn when using pumps. Care should be taken to ensure rockets are pointing away from people and objects.

Lesson 5	Unit Title: Gravity and Space Caretaker: DO	Unit No
Lesson Title: Changing Ideas		NC Ref:
Objectives: MK - An early model of solar system and how it compares to the current one SK - How models of the solar system have evolved to the present one. The importance of prediction and testing of each model CK - Why Kepler's model superceeded Copernicus's model
Lesson outline: Horsforth Commentary : Starter activity: Ask individuals to come out and construct a diagram of the solar system on the board. Main course: Play the video seeing thro science - lost in space Use the sheet 'Astronomy in Disorder' ( this is just a photocopy of page 21 of Starting Science 3). They have to cut and stick the statements into their books in the right order. Discuss the order with them. I like to do this as a story. Draw out the importance of making predictions using each theory, and then testing the theory. Plenary: If you have time do worksheet 9Jc/1 (lower sets) or 9Jc/2 (higher sets) or if not set for homework			5min 20min 20min 10min
Homework Suggestion: Worksheets 9Jc/1 (lower sets ) or 9Jc/2 (higher sets)
Video Clips: Seeing through science-Lost in Space
Resources: Scissors and glue
Worksheets: 9Jc/1 and 9Jc/2
Risk Assessment: none

Lesson 6	Unit Title: Gravity and Space Caretaker: DO	Unit No
Lesson Title: Satelllites		NC Ref:
Objectives: MK - The Sun's gravity keeps planets in orbit. Earth's gravity keeps Moon in orbit. A satellite orbits a planet. Some uses of satellites. SK - Difference between natural and artificial satellites. How geostationary and polar orbits are used. Key words: communications, earth observation, polar, geostationary, elliptical, space probe CK - About gravity assist trajectories
Lesson outline: Horsforth Commentary : Starter activity: The class do worksheet 9Jd/1 on 'Gravity Revision'. Discuss the correct answers with them Main course: Discuss satellites uses - weather, communications, 'landsat' (mapping) types of orbit - use a large globe to explain both types of orbit Class copy diagrams of the two orbits from page 20 of Starting Science book 3 and also list the uses of satellites Show video seeing thro science - eye in the sky Plenary: Ask individuals to come out and explain the orbits using the globe			Timings: 10mins 10mins 15mins 20mins 5mins
Homework Suggestion: Research project on satellites - find out some other uses.
Video Clips: seeing thro science - eye in the sky
Resources: Large globe, Starting Science book 3, worksheet 9Jd/1
Worksheets: 9Jd/1
Risk Assessment: none