MC	Physics	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Relate the strength of the gravitational force to the distance between two objects and the mass of the objects.
ILO:

What would be the force between the objects shown above?

a. 5.9x10-9N

b. 88.8N

c. 7.99x1011N

d. 9.8N

Correct Answer: a

MC	Physics	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Relate the strength of the gravitational force to the distance between two objects and the mass of the objects.
ILO:

If an astronaut took a rocket ship to Mars what would change?

a. Width of astronaut.

b. Mass of astronaut.

c. Height of astronaut.

d. Weight of astronaut.

Correct Answer: d

MC	Physics	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Relate the strength of the gravitational force to the distance between two objects and the mass of the objects.
ILO:

During an experiment, you notice that as you increase the mass on a spring scale (used to measure weight) that the reading on the scale also increases. Which statement best describes the relationship between the variables in this experiment?

a. Weight directly influences the amount of mass.

b. Mass has little influence on weight.

c. As mass increases, weight will increase.

d. Weight and mass are identical.

Correct Answer: c

MC	Physics	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Relate the strength of the gravitational force to the distance between two objects and the mass of the objects.
ILO:

1. In order for the force to be 1N what would the distance for these objects have to be?

a. .001m

b. .001mm

c. 1.35x1011m

d. 1.16x107m

2. According to NewtonÍs law of universal gravitation, what will have a greater affect on the gravitational force?

a. An increase in m1

b. A decrease in m2

c. An increase in d

d. A decrease in G

Correct Answers:

1. a

2. c

MC	Physics	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Relate the strength of the gravitational force to the distance between two objects and the mass of the objects.
ILO:

During an experiment, you notice that as you increase the mass on a spring scale (used to measure weight) that the reading on the scale also increases. Decide if the statements below are facts, inferences from the experiment, or neither. Circle your answer in the column to the left.

1.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Weight directly influences the amount of mass.
2.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Mass has little influence on weight.
3.	Fact	Inference	Neither	As mass increases, weight also increases.
4.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Weight and mass are identical.
5.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Mass determines the weight.
6.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Mass interacts with gravity in some way.
7.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Weight is a measure of the force of gravity.
8.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Weight determines gravity.
9.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Weight becomes mass.
10.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Mass becomes weight.
11.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Measured mass would be the same on the moon.
12.	Fact	Inference	Neither	Measured weight would be the same on the moon.

Correct Answers:

1.			Neither	Weight directly influences the amount of mass.
2.			Neither	Mass has little influence on weight.
3.		Inference		As mass increases, weight also increases.
4.			Neither	Weight and mass are identical.
5.		Inference		Mass determines the weight.
6.		Inference		Mass interacts with gravity in some way.
7.	Fact			Weight is a measure of the force of gravity.
8.			Neither	Weight determines gravity.
9.			Neither	Weight becomes mass.
10.			Neither	Mass becomes weight.
11.	Fact			Measured mass would be the same on the moon.
12.			Neither	Measured weight would be the same on the moon.

E	Physics	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Relate the strength of the gravitational force to the distance between two objects and the mass of the objects.
ILO:

Scenario:

You are a manager at Mars mission control. A Mars transport ship in route home to Earth is found to be off course and dangerously short on fuel to make a course correction. However, the ship is on a course towards the moon. Using the gravitational force of another planet or the moon to assist the motion of a ship has been done before such as in the Voyager probes going to the outer planets or during the Apollo 13 accident. Using a ñgravity assistî from the moon has been proposed as a way to get the Mars transport back on to the proper course.

Explain how knowledge of NewtonÍs Universal Law of Gravity would help in planning this attempt. Include details you would need to know in order to use this equation and which variables you would be manipulating to get the desired results.

Performance Criteria:

1. Understanding of how distance affects the gravitational force.

2. Understand how other factors are at work that may not be accounted for in this one equation.

P	Physics	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Relate the strength of the gravitational force to the distance between two objects and the mass of the objects.
ILO:

The Measurement of Mass and How Springs React

Teacher Notes

Students need to complete this lab in small groups or individually. The make up of the lab can be put together at little cost. Washers could replace the slotted weights, just more of them. If washers are used, take an average weight of the washers. This lab builds hand and eye coordination and self esteem. This lab takes approximately 15-20 hours.

The Problem

To compress a spring with mass. Write a technical report using the data and graphing from the lab.

Students need to complete this lab in small groups or individually. The make up of the lab can be put together at little cost. Washers could replace the slotted weights, just more of them. If washers are used, take an average weight of the washers. This lab builds hand and eye coordination and self-esteem. This lab takes approximately 15-20 hours.

Materials Needed

Three (3) different springs, approx. 6" in length and 1" to 2" in dia. (Easy to compress). Three different slotted weights, eight (8) of each size, 25 grams (approx.), 50 grams, 250 grams. One (1) 1/4" x 12" ready-rod, with three (3) 1/4" nuts, three (3) 1/4" fender washers. A piece of 1" x 4" x 12" dia. Hole in one end. Three inch C-clamp and a metric rule.

Scoring Guide:

20% Lab

20% Data collecting

40% Technical presentation

20% Question

The Measurement of Mass and How Springs React

For the Student

Procedure

Place a washer on the one end of the ready rod and nut it into a locked position close to the end. Slide the spring onto the ready rod from the open end, followed by another washer. Slide the ready rod through the hole in the 1 x 4. Then put the third washer on the bottom, held there with the last nut. Now clamp the 1 x 4 to a table top. Place one at a time, the first of 6 weights on top of the bottom washer. Record the distance the spring compresses and the weight each time a weight is added. Repeat these steps for the remaining springs and weights. The more data you collect, the more accurate you will be. After you collect your data, predict the compression of the spring as if you were to add two more weights. Then add the last two weights and compare them to your prediction.

Diagram

Data

Show your data on a spread sheet and chart. Present your results in a Technical Report form complete with a introduction, objective, and a summary.

Question

Does this lab have a practical application, and if so how can you identify with this?

P	Physics	Standard: 03
Objective: 01. Relate the strength of the gravitational force to the distance between two objects and the mass of the objects.
ILO:

Practice Project Æ Rockets

Objective:

Design a balloon rocket and design an experiment to test something about your rocket. Use the core curriculum as a guide to designing your study.

Concept: NewtonÍs 3^rd Law: Action/Reaction

Materials (teacher supplied):

Balloons

Paper clips

Strings

Tape

Straws

Stopwatches

Materials (student supplied):

Helium

Wire

Paper

Procedure:

1. Students will work either alone or in pairs. Groups bigger than two are NOT allowed!!

2. Students need to write down:

a. sketch of rocket design and outline of experimental design that includes identification of independent and dependent variables.

b. their ñplan of attackî Æ materials list and a procedure (i.e.: steps to be followed)

c. a prediction of the relationship between variables (i.e.: formulate a hypothesis)

3. Students must gain teacher approval BEFORE preceding with any experimentation!

4. Students will carry out their experiment while recording any and all procedural changes. Record data in a table. Analyze the data and draw conclusions based on the data.

5. Students will present their projects and findings in a brief (< 5 min) presentation to the class.

6. Students will turn in a brief written report following the ñPractice Project Write-upî guidelines.

Practice Project Write-ups:

Objective: includes, but not limited to:

Sketch

Experimental design

Independent variable

Dependent variable

Hypothesis

Materials: a list of everything you used.

Procedures: step by step list of what you actually did. Include enough details so your experiment could be repeated exactly by a stranger.

Data: tables, graphs, etc.

Conclusions: based on your data. Do some theorizing.