Gravity
Vocabulary:
 MassThe amount of matter in an object. (Matter is all of the "stuff" that make up the object. The "stuff" are all of the atoms and molecules.) |  NewtonA unit of measure that equals the force required to accelerate 1 kilogram of mass at 1 meter per second per second faster. |  FrictionThe force that opposes the motion of one surface as it moves across another surface. The force that one surface exerts on another when the two surfaces rub against each other. |
|---|---|---|
 InertiaThe tendency of an object to resist any change in its motion. |  ForceA push or pull exerted on an object. It's what causes objects with mass to accelerate. |  WeightThe force of gravity on an object at the surface of a planet. |
 GravityA force that moves rocks and other materials downhill - and the force that pulls objects toward each other. |
Day 1: Part 1, 2 & 3
Vocabulary
We did several labs looking at the way gravity influences the objects around it. All of these can be done at home since they are done with out equiptment. There are several fundamental principles we looked at. The first is that the gravity of the earth pulls everything towards the center of the earth. The second is that gravity is affected by the mass of the object and distance you are from that object. When it has more mass it has more gravitational force. The last point we learned was when the force of gravity increases the acceleration increases as well. Remember our equation F=m*a. It helps us see that mass stays the same and force increases then the acceleration has to increase as well.
Day 3: Part 5, 6 & 7
Starter Questions:
1. What is weight?
2. Why do all objects fall at the same rate?
3. What causes them to not hit the ground at the same time?
WIth the idea of gravity we need to also look at weight and inertia. Both of these ideas are connected to mass. Weight is the effect of gravity on an object. It is a force, measured in Newtons! Its how hard an object is being pulled down on the surface of a planetary body. Remember, your mass never changes, no matter your location. But weight can change depending on what type of planet you're on. Another inportant idea is inertia. We talked about this in the last unit, that if an object has mass, it has inertia. Just like mass, inertia does not change if you change location. Even in space you have inertia.
Day 2: Part 4
Starter Questions
1. What is gravity?
2. What is Mass?
Galileo was a scientist during the 1500 and 1600s. He invented the telescope and observed the planets. But one of his most famous experiements was done at the time of the Leaning Tower of Piza. He dropped several objects from the top and found that no matter the weight, they all hit the ground at the same rate. This was interesting conclusion and has been a well tested experiment. We tried it today by dropping objects off the balcony to see if they fell at the same rate. We found that most objects did fall at the same rate except when they were changed by the air. We also looked at Apollo 15's mission to moon and thier experiment which showed this same principle.
Day 4: Walkaway
Starter Questions:
1. Name 2 things that change the strength of Gravity
2. Do you have Gravity? Why or why not
