Claim + Evidence + Reasoning= Explanation
Task: use research about the Sun, Earth, and your assigned planet to support the following claim:
Claim: Gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects
Evidence: Scientific data or research that supports the claim. The data needs to be appropriate and
sufficient to support the claim. (How do you know it?) Hint-what research can you find about your
planet to suggest that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of your
planet?
Reasoning: A justification that links the claim and evidence. It shows why the data or research counts
as evidence by using appropriate and sufficient scientific principles. (Why does your evidence
support your claim?) Hint-give reasons why your claim is correct, I know this because……
Sun:
Evidence
Mass of Sun is 1.989 e30 kg
Weight of 100 lbs would weigh 2,700 lbs on Sun
Sun is 333,000 times the mass of Earth
Reasoning
Sun has large mass and therefore large
gravitational pull
Large amount of gravity makes for larger weight
on Sun
This evidence supports the claim because it is
related to mass.
Earth:
Evidence
Earth is the third planet from the sun and 9.3
million miles from the Sun
Mass is 5.98 e24 kg
100 lbs in weight on Earth
Reasoning
Not needed for this paper
Relates to mass in claim (less massive than the
Sun)
Weight is related to amount of gravitational pull
on that planet
Pluto:
Evidence
Mass is 1.27 e22
Smallest planet in solar system
1/5 size of Earth diameter
Reasoning
Very small mass compared to Earth, Sun, and
other planets (small mass – less attraction)
Not needed for this paper
Pluto was once considered an outer planet very
great distance out. 39 times farther from the
Sun than Earth
100 lbs person would 6.7 lbs on Pluto
Lower gravitational pull creates very low weight
on Pluto
When doing your research you need facts that relate to mass or possibly distance to discuss
gravitational interaction. The weight conversion on smartboard should also help you develop your
argument.
Evidence based Explanation: Synthesize your claim, evidence, and reasoning into a clear and
concise explanation. (Putting it all together)
Claim: Gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects.
In order to prove this claim one could compare the interaction of the Sun and the Earth with
the interaction of the Earth and another planet like Pluto. The Sun has a mass of 1.989e30 which is
much larger than Earth (5.98e24) and Pluto (1.27e22). The attraction between the sun and the
planets can be seen by the way the planets orbit the Sun instead of the Sun revolving around them.
This shows that gravity is attractive
Another way to prove this claim is to compare the weight of a person on Earth and on Pluto.
Weight can be defined as the force of gravity acting upon an object. A person who weighs 100 lbs
on Earth would only weigh 6.7 lbs on Pluto. This is directly related to the fact that Earth has more mass
and therefore more gravitational attraction on its’ surface than Pluto. This shows that gravity is
attractive and depends on the masses of the interacting objects.
Peer Editing/Self-Reflection
1) Is the argument directly related to the claim? Why or Why not?
a. gravity attractive
b. dependent on masses
2) Is good evidence from research used? Is there research that does not belong?
3) Was anything confusing to the reader?
4) What were strengths of the argument?
5) What were weaknesses of the argument?