Florida SC.6.P.13.2
The Standard
Explore the Law of Gravity by recognizing that every object exerts gravitational force on every other object and that the force depends on how much mass the objects have and how far apart they are.
Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use models and observations to explain why two masses attract each other. They predict how increasing mass or changing distance changes the strength of that attraction.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given pairs of objects, students identify which pair has the stronger gravitational attraction and support the choice with mass and distance evidence. They also explain that both objects pull on each other.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think only large bodies like Earth have gravity, or that gravity acts on just one object. They may claim heavier objects always fall faster. They also often predict a stronger pull when objects are farther apart.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Pair A has two 10 kg masses 1 meter apart. Pair B has two 10 kg masses 3 meters apart. Circle the pair with stronger gravity, explain why, and state whether each mass pulls on the other.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Use stretched fabric and balls of different masses to model gravitational effects, then discuss where the model differs from gravity in space.
Ask, "Would you pull on Earth if you jumped?" Have students write a claim supported by evidence about mutual attraction.
Play a card sort matching object pairs to stronger or weaker gravity based on labeled masses and distances.
Use planet and moon mass-distance cards to predict which moons experience stronger gravitational pulls from their planets.
Free download
Printable SC.6.P.13.2 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SC.6.P.13.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- SC.1.E.5.2
Explore the Law of Gravity by demonstrating that Earth's gravity pulls any object on or near Earth toward it even though nothing is touching the object.
- SC.K.E.5.1
Explore the Law of Gravity by investigating how objects are pulled toward the ground unless something holds them up.
- SC.8.E.5.4
Explore the Law of Universal Gravitation by explaining the role that gravity plays in the formation of planets, stars, and solar systems and in determining thei...
- SC.3.E.5.4
Explore the Law of Gravity by demonstrating that gravity is a force that can be overcome.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson