Gravity Games Slides GRAVITY
GAMES
Mastering the invisible force that keeps our feet on the ground and planets in their place.
Mission Briefing: Commencing Now
The Cosmic Glue
What is it?
Gravity is an invisible pull between any two objects that have mass.
Two Main Rules:
Mass: More stuff = More pullDistance: Closer = Stronger pull
Gravity
Gravity in Action
The Drop
Whether it's a pencil or a piano, Earth pulls everything toward its center.
The Atmosphere
Gravity keeps our air from floating away into the vacuum of space!
The Tides
The Moon's gravity pulls on Earth's oceans, creating high and low tides.
The Big Difference
Mass
How much "stuff" is inside you.
"This never changes, even if you go to Mars!"
Weight
The measure of the pull of gravity on you.
"This changes depending on which planet you stand on!"
Solar System Weight-Off
Planet Gravity Strength If you weigh 100 lbs on Earth... Mars 0.38g (Weak) 38 lbs Earth 1.00g (Standard) 100 lbs Jupiter 2.53g (Extreme) 253 lbs Saturn 1.06g (Similar) 106 lbs
Lab Time!
Open your Gravity Lab Journal . You are now a Galactic Gravity Engineer. Your mission: test the pull of Earth and design a new sport for a planet of your choice!
1
The Drop Test
2
Weight Calculator
3
Planet Pitch
4
Final Reflection
Gravity Games Journal Worksheet Gravity Lab Journal
Mission: Planetary Pull Analysis
Agent:
Date:
Part 1: The Great Drop
Hypothesis: Does a heavier object fall faster than a lighter object on Earth?
Materials
Object A (Light, e.g., a crumpled paper)
Object B (Heavy, e.g., a textbook)
A chair or safe elevated surface
Procedure
Hold both objects at the exact same height. Release them at the exact same time. Watch closely!
Observation: What actually happened? Describe the landing.
Part 2: Space Scales
Calculate your weight on other worlds! If you weigh 100 lbs on Earth, use the multipliers below to find your cosmic weight.
Mars
Multiplier: 0.38
___ lbs
Jupiter
Multiplier: 2.53
___ lbs
Moon
Multiplier: 0.16
___ lbs
Analysis Question:
On which of these three locations would it be hardest to do a push-up? Why?
Part 3: The Planet Pitch
You have been hired by the Intergalactic Sports Commission to design a new sport. Choose one planet (or the Moon) from the previous page. Design a sport that uses that planet's gravity to make the game unique!
Target Planet
Name of Your Sport
The Objective (How do you win?)
Visual Blueprint (Draw the equipment or field)
Gravity Rule: Explain one specific way the planet's gravity makes your sport possible.
Final Debrief
If you traveled to a planet with 10 times the gravity of Earth, what would happen to your MASS ? What would happen to your WEIGHT ?
Gravity Games Teacher Guide Mission Control Guide
Teacher Resource: Gravity Games
Learning Objectives
Define gravity as an attractive force.
Differentiate between mass and weight.
Explain how planetary mass affects weight.
Apply gravitational concepts to creative design.
Key Vocabulary
Gravity Mass Weight Attraction Orbit
Lab Facilitation: The Great Drop
Common Misconception: Many students believe heavier objects fall faster because Earth "pulls harder." While Earth does pull harder on more massive objects, those objects also have more inertia (resistance to motion), which balances out perfectly.
Pro-Tip:
Make sure the light object (paper) is crumpled into a ball to minimize air resistance. Air resistance is often the reason light objects appear to fall slower.
Answer Key & Calculations
Mars (0.38)
38 lbs
100 x 0.38
Jupiter (2.53)
253 lbs
100 x 2.53
Moon (0.16)
16 lbs
100 x 0.16
Analysis: Hardest Push-Up?
Jupiter. Because the gravitational pull is 2.53 times stronger than Earth's, a student would effectively be lifting over twice their own body weight.
Final Debrief: Mass vs Weight
Mass: Remains exactly the same (you are made of the same amount of matter).Weight: Increases by 10 times (the pull of the planet is stronger).
Discussion Prompts: Planet Pitch
Use these questions while circulating or during student presentations:
"How does low gravity change how high players can jump in your sport?"
"If the gravity is extreme, like Jupiter, would your equipment need to be lighter or heavier?"
"What kind of safety gear would players need for a sport on a high-gravity world?"
"Could your sport be played on Earth, or would gravity break the game?"
