KS3 Gravity and Orbits Lesson | Year 9 Physics + Worksheets

Gravity and Orbits lesson for KS3 Physics, Year 9 Space (lesson 2 of 6): a ready-to-teach PowerPoint, three differentiated worksheets and full answers.

Learning objectives

• Bronze (all): Describe gravity as a force of attraction between masses, and calculate weight on other planets.
• Silver (most): Explain how gravity keeps planets, moons and satellites in orbit.
• Gold (some): Analyse data on orbital distance and period, and explain why gravity gets weaker with distance.

What’s included

• 15-slide PowerPoint: Do Now retrieval, objectives, hook, key words, teaching slides, we-do example, hinge question, practical or data task, challenge, myth busters, exit ticket and homework, with answers in the speaker notes
• Worksheet 1 Support (word bank, sentence starters), Worksheet 2 Core and Worksheet 3 Challenge
• Answers for every slide and worksheet
• Lesson plan with timings, misconceptions and differentiation
• Teacher notes with subject knowledge, prep list and timing tips

Fully editable Microsoft PowerPoint and Word files, aligned to the KS3 National Curriculum. Ideal for specialist and non-specialist teachers.

Part of the Year 9 Space unit

1. The Solar System
2. Gravity and Orbits
3. Day, Night and the Seasons
4. Moon Phases and Eclipses
5. Stars, Galaxies and Light Years
6. Review lesson + 40-mark end-of-unit test

Find the other lessons and the full unit in my KS3 Physics resources.

Last updated: 27 October 2026.