ALEX | Alabama Learning Exchange

Forces of Gravity and Air Resistance

Classroom Resource Information

Title:

Forces of Gravity and Air Resistance

URL:

https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/midlit11.sci.splgrav/forces-of-gravity-and-air-resistance/

Content Source:

PBS

Type:

Interactive/Game

Overview:

In this blended lesson supporting literacy skills, students watch videos about gravity and investigate the motion of falling objects on Earth and on the Moon. They examine how the force of gravity acts on falling objects and how air resistance counteracts gravity. This resource is part of the Inspiring Middle School Literacy Collection. This lesson is a great resource to use to give students background information on gravity and forces before they conduct a test of a falling object.

Students need to be signed in to complete this lesson. Go to "About This Activity" in "Support Materials" or click here.

Content Standard(s):

Science
SC2015 (2015)
Grade: 5

7 ) Design and conduct a test to modify the speed of a falling object due to gravity (e.g., constructing a parachute to keep an attached object from breaking).*

Unpacked Content

Scientific And Engineering Practices:

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Crosscutting Concepts: Cause and Effect

Disciplinary Core Idea: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:

Design a test to modify the speed of a falling object.
Conduct a test to modify the speed of a falling object.
Collect and record data including data before and after the modification is added.

Teacher Vocabulary:

gravity
design
conduct
gravitational force

Knowledge:

Students know:

The gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed downward towards the center of Earth.
How an engineering design process is used to design and conduct a test.
The properties (surface area, substance, weight) of different materials used to modify the speed of a falling object will affect the fall.

Skills:

Students are able to:

Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the design solution.

Understanding:

Students understand that:

A device added to a falling object can cause the speed to be modified.

AMSTI Resources:

AMSTI Module:
Earth: Gravity and Space

Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards

AAS Standard:
SCI.AAS.5.7- Identify solutions designed to reduce the effects of a falling object due to gravity (e.g., a parachute to keep an attached object from breaking).

Tags:

Earth, gravitational force, gravity, moon

License Type:

Custom Permission Type
See Terms: https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/help/terms-of-use/#permitted
For full descriptions of license types and a guide to usage, visit :
https://creativecommons.org/licenses

Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings

Comments

This is a student-directed lesson to be completed online. Download and print the Teacher's Guide (in "For Teachers") for essential background information and suggestions for ways to support students as they complete the lesson.

This resource provided by:

Author:

Stephanie Carver

ALEX Classroom Resource

Forces of Gravity and Air Resistance