Space: Gravity & Orbits (KS3 Activate)

Gravity & Orbits

ALL define key words
MOST describe the forces acting on an object in orbit and ‘who orbits who’
SOME explain ‘who orbit who’ and link the role of a satellite to its orbit

Keywords: gravity, orbit, moon, planet, sun & satellite
S: What is gravity/recall equation?
AfL from prior learning of gravity from forces topic.

I:recap the relationship between planet size and gravity
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/z9x4wmn

Main:
Activity 1- 10 min: Calculate Weight (if not done in forces last term use arnie the alien activity instead as main task) slides 4-5)

Activity 2- 10 min: Who orbits Who- role play; define orbit and draw & label activity (slides 6-8)

Activity 3- 5-10 min: Satellites& Types of satellite

Activity 4- 5-10 min HA: types of satellite orbit.

Activity 4- 5 min LA: Find someone- reinforce idea of gravity, mas and weight

Plenary:
Moon Olympics
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/explorations/space/level1/MoonOlympics.htm