SPI 0807.12.

5
Notes Gravity-Mass and Distance
Science
Tennessee SPI Objective:
Determine the relationship among the mass of objects, the distance between these
objects, and the amount of
gravitational attraction.
Essential Question(s)
What is mass?
What is weight?
What is gravity?
How does mass and distance affect gravitational pull?

Learning Target
I can identify factors that influence the amount of gravitational force between objects

Success Criteria
I will be able to differentiate between mass and weight.

I will be able to explain how mass and distance affect gravitational force.
 SPI 0807.12.4
Notes Mass and Weight Science

Mass…What is it?
---Mass is how much matter is in an object.
---In other words it is how much "stuff" is in an object
---Everything that is made of matter has mass.
---So anything that is a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma has mass.

Mass…How is it measured?
---We measure mass with a triple-beam balance or an electric
balance (there are various kinds)
--We are measuring the amount of matter in the object

-unit of measure for mass: Grams

-examples: milligrams (mg), grams (g), kilograms (kg)
 SPI 0807.12.4
Notes Mass and Weight Science
Weight…What is it?
---Weight is the measure of gravity's pull on an object.
---In other words it is how "heavy" something feels
---Everything that is made of matter has weight.
---So anything that is a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma has weight.
Weight…How is it measured?
---We measure weight by using a scale (there are various kinds)
---We are actually measuring the force of gravity's pull

-unit of measure for weight: Newtons (not pounds!)

 SPI 0807.12.4
Notes Mass and Weight Science
Mass…How Can I Tell the Difference Between Mass & Weight?
---Mass does not change from planet to planet like weight does
Example:
-A full/unopened can of coke on Earth has a mass of 390g.
-The same unopened can on Mars would have the same mass (390g)
Example:
-A full/unopened can of coke on Earth weighs 3.61 Newtons.
-The same unopened can on Mars would weigh 1.20 Newtons
Why? Mars is smaller (less mass) than Earth & therefore has less gravity

Mass weight Mass

weight
390g 1.20 N 390g
3.61 N

Earth Earth Mars Mars

 Dance SPI 0807.12.4 Brain
Party Mass and Weight Break
Mass and Weight Video- Brain Break
---Watch this song-video, and have a dance party!
Link: "The Mass vs Weight Song" by Mr. Edmonds

Mass and Weight Are

Not the Same!!!
 SPI 0807.12.5
Notes Gravity-Mass and Distance
Science

Gravity
 is a “mysterious” force found everywhere in the universe
that pulls particles of matter together
Key Concept: Gravity is a pulling force (not a pushing force)
Law of Universal Gravitation
F.Y.I -Isaac Newton is credited with defining this law
The law states that gravity is everywhere in our universe, and
that its attractive force changes based on mass and distance.
Reminder: Mass is the amount of matter in an object
Summary: Every particle of matter is attracted to every other
particle of matter.
Mass Affects Gravity
 Objects with more mass have stronger gravity
 Look below: (bowling ball and a baseball) both objects are
made of matter, so both objects have gravity.
 So both objects are being pulled towards each other.
 Yet the ball with more mass (bowling ball) has more gravity.
 Therefore its pull is stronger (view animation)
Diagram 01
(Imagine these objects are floating in space)
Mass Affects Gravity
 The example of a bowling ball and a baseball is similar to the
gravity effect with a planet and a moon
Diagram 01

Earth and the Moon

 SPI 0807.12.5
Notes Gravity-Mass and Distance
Science
Mass Affects Gravity
 Look below: (baseball and a golf ball) both objects are made
of matter, so both objects have gravity.
 So both objects are being pulled towards each other.
 Yet the ball with more mass (baseball) has more gravity.
 Therefore its pull is stronger (view animation)
 This is similar to the gravity effect with a moon and a asteroid

Diagram 02
(Imagine these objects are floating in space)
Notice the volume (size) of the Sun contrasted with Jupiter
 The Sun is bigger because it has more matter (mass)
 Because it has more mass, it likewise has more gravity

Note: The planets are not

actually this close to the Sun
Jupiter Earth

Jupiter has more mass than Earth.

Therefore Jupiter has more gravity than Earth.

Earth The Moon

The Earth has more mass than the Moon.

Therefore Earth has more gravity than the Moon.
 SPI 0807.12.5
Notes Gravity-Mass and Distance
Science
Distance Affects Gravity
 Affect of gravity increases when objects are closer together.
 Affect of gravity decreases when objects are farther apart.
In diagram 01 the two soccer balls are 5m apart (floating in space).
In diagram 02 the two soccer balls are 10m apart (floating in space.
Gravitation attraction is greatest when they are closer together.

Diagram 01

5 meters

Diagram 02

10 meters
 SPI 0807.12.5
Gravity-Mass and Distance

Earth The Moon

Distance Affects Gravity

The Sun
 The Sun has more gravity than the Moon.
 Yet the Moon is closer to Earth than the Sun.
 So the Moon’s gravitation pull on Earth’s oceans
(tides) is greater than the Sun’s gravitation pull.
Gravity and the Theory of Relativity
F.Y.I. -Einstein theorized that mass warps (bends/curves)
space and this warping explains the force we call gravity.

Watch both of these Youtube videos:

Write down three things that catch your attention, and be
ready to share afterwards.
(1) Link: Curvature of Space-Time (34 sec)
(2) Link: How Gravity Really Works (1 min 45 sec)
 Question SPI 0807.12.5 Brain
Review Gravity-Mass and Distance Break
1) What is the name of the law about gravity? The law of…
A) …Conservation of Mass C) …Universal Gravitation
B) … Universal Attraction D)… Conservation of Gravity
(2) All matter in the universe attracts other matter by?
A) A “pushing force” C) A “pulling force”
B) A “push and pull force”
(3) The strength of gravity depends on the ______ of the objects
A) Masses B) Shape C) Size D) rotation
4) Effect of gravity depends on the _____ between the objects.
A) Energy B) Distance C) orbit D) objects

5) What did Einstein say about mass and gravity?

A) That mass warps space B) Mass and gravity are the same
 SPI 0807.12.5
Question Gravity-Mass and Distance
Science
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Science
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Science
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Science
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 SPI 0807.12.5
Question Gravity-Mass and Distance
Science
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