Lesson 10 of 12 · Energy Transfer
Experiment⭐ 30 XP⚡ Spark LabGravity Reaches Across Space
Energy Transfer.
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
The opposite of what you expect is often what happens.
Mind = Blown
🎢 You feel weightless on a roller coaster because you and the seat are falling at the same speed.
Make a hypothesis first
Predict: what happens if you double the force?
What You'll Learn
Gravity does not stop at the ground. It reaches out from Earth far enough to hold the Moon in orbit, and out from the Sun far enough to hold every planet. The further away you go, the weaker it gets.
Key Words
Tap a word to see its definition.
Materials Needed
- soft ball
- strong string
- large open space
Safety First
- Do this outdoors, well away from people and windows, and check the string before each swing.
Steps
Read the explanation above and note the two key terms before you start.
Swing a ball on a string in a circle above your head, then let go and mark where it flies. Explain what the string was doing and what gravity does for the Moon.
Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.
Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What keeps the Moon circling the Earth?
Where you see this in real life
You use this every time you flip a light switch, ride a bike, or kick a ball.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Time how long a small ball rolls down something, then change the slope and try again.
For the dinner table
“Show me something at home that uses this kind of energy.”
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Gravity Reaches Across Space
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