ECH430: Assignment 3
Lesson: 2
Heather Lancaster
42329574
Stage: 2
KLA: Science and
Strand: Physical World
Lesson by:
Technology
Heather Lancaster
Topic: Bounce and Fall: The physics of balance and
Lesson title: Can gravity be defied?
gravity
Resources: Glass cups (1pp/group), cardboard (1pp/group), outside tap/water source
Outcomes:
ST2-7PW: Describes everyday interactions between
objects that result from contact and non-contact forces
(NSW Board of Studies, 2013)
Content:
Forces can be exerted by one object on another through
direct contact or from a distance
- Observe the way the force of gravity pulls objects
KSK:
PLoK:
- Air pressure is the force exerted on you by the
- Air pressure is the force exerted by the air within
weight of air particles called air molecules. Air
Earth’s atmosphere. Air is invisible, however it still has
molecules have weight and take up space. Air can be
mass and takes up space. When air gets compressed it is
compressed to fit into a smaller volume. When it is
called ‘High pressure’. Since there is no air inside the
compressed it is called “high pressure”. Whenever air
glass, the air pressure outside the glass is higher. An
pressure is higher, there will be a stronger force or
imbalance in air pressure results in the higher air
push against an object. The imbalanced between a
pressure pushing against the lower pressure object. The
higher and lower pressure pushes the surface toward
outside air pushes the cardboard up, holding the water
the lower pressure.
in, appearing to defy gravity.
- Anti-gravity is the term used to refer to objects that
- Gravity is not being defied. The water still moves to
appear as though they have reversed gravity. In
the bottom of the glass. The force of air pressure is
actuality, the only reason the object does not fall is
holding the cardboard in place. Defying gravity is
because of circumstantial manipulation such as the
impossible. It can appear possible, however this is due
application of force.
to a manipulation of the object by applying force.
(Lamb, 2014.; NASA, 2013; ASME, 2011)
(Turtle Diary, 2014; Lipper, 2011; NASA, 2013;)
Description of lesson:
Introduction:
Bring the children together. Ask them to stand with one arm pointing to the roof and the other resting by their
sides. Ask the children to hold this position for 30 seconds, and then ask the children to look at their hands. What
has happened? One hand should be white and one red. Ask the children why this has happened (Gravity). Recap
the previous lesson and remind children about gravity (7 minutes).
Experience:
Note: This experiment was adapted from Chrome Battery, 2014.
*This lesson involves water and should be conducted outside
1) Explain to the children that this lesson will try to defy gravity. Ask “What do you think defy gravity means?”
Ask the children if they think it is possible to defy gravity.
2) Ask children to collect the material they need and go outside
3) One by one, the teacher will supervise the children filling up the water in their cup to the very top
4) Carefully place the cardboard over the cup so that no air bubbles get in.
5) Turn the cup upside down. Ask the children to hypothesise what will happen.
6) Remove your hand from under the cardboard. The cardboard should stick and the water should stay.
7) Turn the cup upright, tip out the water and come back inside.
8) Ask the children what they think happened. Explain that since there is no air inside the glass, the pressure
outside the glass is greater than inside the glass. The air pressure holds the cardboard in place so that the water
cannot come out.
9) Revisit the idea of ‘defying gravity’ and explore the children thoughts now having conducted the experiment.
Can gravity be defied? Why not? Talk about how the water still moved to the bottom of the cup but it was the
greater air pressure on the outside of the cup that force the cardboard and stopped the water from coming out.
Conclusion
Bring the children back together and ask them again the questions from introduction. Ask each child to share one
thing they learnt from the lesson.
Modifications:
Links to other KLAs:
To simplify this lesson, encourage students to pick only 1 or 2 Mathematics: MA2-11MG: Measure, records,
activities from the Glog site. Help them with site navigation
compares and estimates volumes and capacities
skills. Model activity 5 once or twice to demonstrate the
(NSW Board of Studies, 2012).
mathematics involved.
ECH430: Assignment 3
Heather Lancaster
42329574
References
Chrome Battery. (2014). No gravity water experiment. Retrieved from:
http://www.chromebattery.com/battery-kids/projects/no-gravitywater-experiment
Lamb, R. (2014). What is antigravity? Retrieved from:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/sciencequestions/antigravity.htm
Lipper, A. (2011). 5 ways to demonstrate air pressure to children. Retrieved
from: https://www.asme.org/career-education/articles/k-12-grade/5ways-to-demonstrate-air-pressure-to-children
NASA. (2013). Air pressure. Retrieved from:
http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/air_pressure/
NSW Board of Studies. (2013). Science and Technology K-10 Syllabus. Sydney
NSW Board of Studies. (2012). Mathematics K-10 Syllabus. Sydney
Turtle Diary. (2014). Defying gravity. Retrieved from:
http://www.turtlediary.com/kids-science-experiments/defying-gravityexperiment.html