5 E Lesson Plan Center of Gravity

Objectives:
6:05 Describe and measure quantities that characterize moving objects and their interactions within a system
6.06 Investigate and analyze the real world interactions of balanced and unbalanced forces:
Engage
Balance a box on a desk or table that has weight inside that alters the center of gravity.
Ask students why doesnt the box fall off the table? Have students write their explanations in their note book.
Then record explanations on the board.
Explore
Center of Gravity Lab
Explain
Gravity is a force that pulls on all particles (the mass ) of an object. Although individual particles
throughout an object all contribute to the objects weight, the net effect is as if the total weight of the object
were concentrated in a single point--the object's center of gravity.
Center of gravity the imaginary point where all of the weight of the object is concentrated.
o Useful for designing bridges or buildings or predicting movement of an object.
o Center of gravity is a vector because it has direction as well as magnitude.
o Center of gravity is usually where things balance.
Extend
The center of gravity may or may not be the point that is exactly in the middle, distance-wise, of the object.
If you have something like a sledge hammer that is heavier on one end than the other, the center of gravity
will be much closer to the heavy end than the lighter end.
Sometimes the center of gravity isnt actually on the object.
o Boomerang example
o Fosbury Flop
Center of gravity applied to car design
o Usually low to improve cars handling
o Problems with SUVs
Center of gravity applied to airplane design
o Affects planes
Pitch
Yaw
Roll
Evaluate
Lab Rubric
Forces and Motion Unit Test