Gravity in space
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Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Our solar system and beyond, where they explored the relationships between celestial bodies and their movements. It deepens their understanding by focusing on Gravity in space, examining how gravitational forces govern the orbits of planets, moons, and other objects in the universe. As the final unit in the big question, How does the Earth fit into the Universe?, it reinforces pupils’ understanding of Earth's place in the cosmos and how gravitational forces shape the structure and motion of the universe.
Prior knowledge requirements
- The Solar System contains the Sun, eight planets, lots of moons, several dwarf planets and many smaller pieces of rock.
- Planets further from the Sun take longer to orbit.
- Gravitational force of the Earth pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth.
- Gravitational force of a planet is bigger for planets with more mass.
- A sun is a star because, like all stars, it creates its own light.
- There are stars in every direction, but they are too faint to be seen during the day amidst the bright sunlight.
- Stars are found in groups called galaxies with billions of stars in each one.
- It takes light about four years to travel from our nearest star, it is about four light years away.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Our solar system and beyond, where they explored the relationships between celestial bodies and their movements. It deepens their understanding by focusing on Gravity in space, examining how gravitational forces govern the orbits of planets, moons, and other objects in the universe. As the final unit in the big question, How does the Earth fit into the Universe?, it reinforces pupils’ understanding of Earth's place in the cosmos and how gravitational forces shape the structure and motion of the universe.
Prior knowledge requirements
- The Solar System contains the Sun, eight planets, lots of moons, several dwarf planets and many smaller pieces of rock.
- Planets further from the Sun take longer to orbit.
- Gravitational force of the Earth pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth.
- Gravitational force of a planet is bigger for planets with more mass.
- A sun is a star because, like all stars, it creates its own light.
- There are stars in every direction, but they are too faint to be seen during the day amidst the bright sunlight.
- Stars are found in groups called galaxies with billions of stars in each one.
- It takes light about four years to travel from our nearest star, it is about four light years away.
Gravity in space
This unit covers the solar system's features, including planets, moons, and satellites. It explains gravity's effect on orbits, the sun's formation from dust and gas, and fusion equilibrium. It also explores red-shift, evidence of an expanding universe, and the link to the Big Bang model.
6 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Gravity in space unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our Edexcel secondary physics curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for Edexcel secondary physics programmes.