Gravity and satellites: true or false?
In this activity, students use a simple true or false interactive tool to categorise facts. This activity could be used as a formative activity to gather students prior knowledge and understanding. Use it as an opportunity to engage in discussion with your students and to highlight common alternative conceptions about gravity and satellites. A paper-based version is included in the download.
Gravity and satellites: true or false? – graphic organiser
True
False
Not sure
Unused items
- There is no gravity in space
- Astronauts appear weightless because there is no gravity in space
- Gravity only works on falling objects
- Gravity keeps the International Space Station in orbit around the Earth
- All objects – even people – are attracted towards each other by gravity
- A 1 kg mass dropped from a 100 km high tower would float away
- Gravity keeps the Moon orbiting around the Earth
- A 1 kg mass dropped from a 30 km high tower would fall straight down
- The Moon is a satellite
- Gravity only affects things on Earth
Gravity and satellites: true or false? – graphic organiser
Use this interactive graphic organiser to highlight common alternative conceptions about gravity and satellites. Students can place the labels where they think they belong. This activity can be done individually, in pairs or as a whole class.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
clarify some of their current thinking about gravity and satellites
provide evidence to support their current views
debate ideas with others who hold different views that may challenge their current thinking
investigate some key concepts around gravity and satellite orbits.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
extension ideas
student handout
sample answers.
Related content
The teacher resource Alternative conceptions about gravity resource highlights some of the more common misunderstandings students may hold about gravity and space.
Explore some of the science ideas and concepts behind gravity and satellite motion.
For additional background information, see the articles Artificial satellites and Natural satellites.
Useful link
Common alternative conceptions about gravity and further strategies for teaching about gravity are covered in this resource from the Department of Education and Training, Victoria State Government, Australia.
