GRAVITY IN THE SS KEYNOTES

Gravity and Motion in
the Solar System

TEKS 7.9B

KEY IDEAS

•What is gravity?

•What factors affect gravity?

•How does gravity affect orbital motion?

Words to Know

inertia

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Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.

What is gravity? continued

The scientist Isaac Newton is
believed to have studied gravity
after observing apples fall from a
tree to the ground. Gravity is a
non-contact force of attraction
between any two objects.

From his observations of gravity
on Earth, Newton proposed that
gravity also controlled movements
of objects in the solar system,
including the moon and Earth.

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Gravity Answers

Explain Complete each sentence using the correct term from the
word bank. Not every term will be used.

Word Bank

orbit

push

1. Newton, with other scientists, determined that all

objects in the universe

attract

each other.

2. This force, which does not require objects to be in

contact, is called

gravity

3. Newton’s theory states that this force governs

the

motion

of objects in the solar system.

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What factors affect gravity? continued

The force of gravity between two objects depends on the
mass of the objects and the distance between them.

The force of gravity increases
when the masses of the objects
increase, and it decreases
when the masses decrease.

The force of gravity increases
when the distance between objects
decreases, and it decreases when
the distance increases.

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Factors Affecting Gravity

Use Models A classmate develops a model using different
marbles to show how mass and distance affect gravity. Use an
X next to identify the pair of objects with the greatest
gravitational force and an O next to the pair with the least
gravitational force.

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Factors Affecting Gravity Answers

Use Models A classmate develops a model using different
marbles to show how mass and distance affect gravity. Write an
X next to the pair of objects with the greatest gravitational force
and an O next to the pair with the least gravitational force.

X

O

Photo credit: Sandeep Gore/Shutterstock

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How does gravity affect orbital motion?

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How does gravity affect orbital motion?
continued

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist a change in
motion unless acted upon by a force.

Gravity is the force that governs the motion of solar system
objects. Inertia and gravity interact to keep all the solar
system objects in orbit.

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Orbital Motion

Evaluate Rewrite each false statement so that it is true.

1. Orbital motion is governed only by gravity.

2. An object in motion will usually change its motion.

3. The moon’s inertia makes it tend to move toward Earth.

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Orbital Motion Answers

Evaluate Rewrite each false statement so that it is true.

1. Orbital motion is governed only by gravity.

Orbital motion is governed by gravity and inertia.

2. An object in motion will usually change its motion.

An object in motion resists a change in motion.

3. The moon’s inertia makes it tend to move toward Earth.

The moon’s inertia makes it tend to move away from Earth.

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Exit Ticket

Choose one of the following ways to
describe how gravity governs the
motions of solar system objects.

1.

Write a script for a short video that
explains why Earth orbits the sun.

2.

Draw a diagram with labels and
captions that explains why Earth
orbits the sun.

Multiple Choice

As distance between two objects increase the pull of gravity 

• Increases
• Decreases
• Stays the same

Multiple Choice

Two factors effecting the magnitude of the force of gravity between 2 objects are...

• mass and distance 
• mass and matter
• distance and weight 
• weight and mass

Multiple Choice

Gravity attracts all objects towards one another.

• False
• True
• It depends

Multiple Choice

Which system has the greater gravitational attraction between the two objects (if any)?

• System A
• System B
• Same gravitational attraction fro System A and System B

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of Gravity?

• the force that resists the sliding motion of two surfaces that are touching

• the force of attraction that pulls objects towards each other because of their masses

• the speed and the direction of a moving object

• the force that pushes perpendicular to the object's surface

Multiple Choice

Gravitational force differs based on two things.

It increases with increasing ___________.

It decreases with increasing __________ .

• mass

  distance

• distance

  mass

• orbit

  displacement

• displacement

  orbit

Multiple Choice

List the inner planets.

• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Jupiter

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

• Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn

Multiple Choice

The outer planets are

• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars

• Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Neptune

• Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn

Multiple Choice

Imagine, just for a moment, the sun's gravity suddenly disappeared! What do you think would happen to our beloved Earth?

• Earth would take a leisurely stroll and DRIFT INTO SPACE

• Earth would continue to ORBIT the sun as if nothing happened

• Earth would shrink and become SMALLER

• Earth would get all friendly and move CLOSER TO OTHER PLANETS

Multiple Choice

An object's gravity depends on the SIZE of the object.

• True

• False