Texas TEKS 7.9.B
The Standard
describe how gravity governs motion within Earth's solar system
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain why planets orbit the Sun and why moons orbit planets. They connect orbital motion to gravity pulling objects inward while the objects continue moving forward.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given an orbit diagram, students identify the attracting body and show the direction of gravity. They predict that removing gravity would make the orbiting object travel in a straight line.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think there is no gravity in space or that gravity only pulls objects downward. They may also think planets remain in orbit because the Sun spins or because no force acts on them.
How to Assess It
- Give students a diagram of Earth orbiting the Sun. Ask them to draw the direction of gravity and describe Earth's path if gravity disappeared.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Swing a rubber stopper on a string in a circle, then release it safely and compare its circular and straight paths.
Ask students to explain why Earth does not fly away from the Sun or fall directly into it.
Sort planet, moon, comet, and satellite cards by the object whose gravity controls each orbit.
Use an ISS tracking map to explain how forward motion and Earth's gravity keep the station in orbit.
Free download
Printable 7.9.B Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 7.9.B, 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
- 6.9.B
describe and predict how the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon cause daily, spring, and neap cycles of ocean tides due to gravitational forces.
- 3.9.A
construct models and explain the orbits of the Sun, Earth, and Moon in relation to each other; and
- 6.9
Earth and space. The student models the cyclical movements of the Sun, Earth, and Moon and describes their effects. The student is expected to:
- 7.9
Earth and space. The student understands the patterns of movement, organization, and characteristics of components of our solar system. The student is expected ...
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