Graphing Gravity Activity

In this gravity activity, students graph MASS and DISTANCE vs. GRAVITY to understand gravitational interactions and then complete a detailed analysis worksheet.

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Includes PRINT and GOOGLE SLIDES versions!

This gravity activity has students investigate the particles of Saturn’s rings to determine the relationship between mass and gravity, and distance and gravity. There are several sections:

• Part 1: Introduction
• Part 2: Provides a data table of ring particles’ masses and gravitational forces. Students analyze the data table for trends and then graph the data on a provided graph.
• Part 3: Provides a data table of ring particles’ distances from Saturn and gravitational force. Analyze the data for trends and then graph the data on a provided graph.
• Part 4: Several analysis questions, including a claims/evidence/reasoning table, all of which focus on the relationship between mass and gravity, and distance and gravity.

Teacher Notes:

• Find lots more space resources in the ASTRONOMY section of the shop!
• This activity is DIFFERENTIATED: Two versions are provided – one with the graph axes pre-labeled and one where the students must label the graph axes themselves. This activity is appropriate for upper middle school and high school.
• This activity is 6 pages long (3 front/back). Each specific section is exactly 1 page front and back, so it is convenient to copy and complete one section at a time.
• Although this activity has a space-based theme, it is appropriate for any unit covering gravity.
• Includes answer key.
• Please note: This gravity activity is NOT editable.
• NGSS Standards: MS-PS2-4 and MS-ESS1-2
• NGSS Science & Engineering Practices: Analyzing and interpreting data; Engaging in argument from evidence
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Related Standards:

• NGSS MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.
• NGSS MS-PS2-4: Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions depend on the masses of interacting objects.
• NGSS MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.