Am I Worth My Weight in Gold on Another Planet?

Subject Area: Math

Grade Level(s): 5th or 6th

Duration of Activity: One to two, 50-minute class periods

Description of Activity:

This is one portion of a cross-curricular lesson in mathematics and science. In the science classroom, the student will follow the lesson plan "Solar System Tourist Agent" and use the World Wide Web to research the nine planets. In the mathematics classroom, the student will be given a formula to use to calculate his or her weight on each of the planets in our solar system and on the earth’s moon.

Objectives:

• The student will use a formula to calculate his or her weight on different planets.
• The student will use Microsoft Excel to create a weight chart

Materials/Equipment:

• Computer with Internet Access
• Microsoft Excel software
• Handout 1: Solar System Weight Calculation Sheet
• Handout 2: Solar System Weight Chart Instructions
• Handout 3: Solar System Weight Chart Checklist

Prerequisites (skills or background needed):

• Basic computer skills including how to log on and open a program.
• A basic understanding of the nine planets that make up our solar system.
• A basic understanding of how to manipulate an algebraic equation.
• A basic understanding of how to use Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software.

Procedure

Teacher Component: The teacher will

1. review the nine planets of our solar system discussing specifically the variables that contribute to objects having different weights on different planets (e.g., the mass of the planet and the size of the planet). The weight of an object is dependent upon the gravitational attraction between the object and the planet. Discuss the fact that the gravitational pull of the planet is dependent on the mass of the planet. The more massive the planet, the greater the gravitational attraction for an object on its surface will be. The gravitational attraction is also dependent upon the distance of the object from the center of the planet. The larger the planet (with a corresponding larger radius or distance from the center), the smaller the gravitational attraction. These two factors work together to determine the gravitational attraction of any given body. In the Web site listed below, the exact formula for determining the gravitational attraction is given along with excellent background material for the teacher. At this grade level, it is not necessary for the students to compute the gravitational attraction. However, it is helpful for the teacher to understand the underlying concepts to be presented in this lesson. For the student calculations, a "gravity factor" will be given which already accounts for the mass and the radius of each planet in our solar system.

   Your Weight On Other Worlds http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/index.html

2. explain how to use an algebraic equation.
3. introduce the equation to be used in determining weight on other planets. The equation is as follows:

   (p)(e) = n

   p = gravity factor for individual planet

   e = weight on Earth

   n = new weight for given planet

4. list all planets and variables on board.

   Planet	Gravity Factor
   Mercury	0.284
   Venus	0.907
   Earth	1.0
   Earth's moon	0.166
   Mars	0.38
   Jupiter	2.34
   Saturn	0.925
   Uranus	0.795
   Neptune	1.125
   Pluto	0.041

   These values were taken from Weight and Age on Other Planets / http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/space/planets/agewt.html.

5. assist students in guided practice using the printable handout found at the above Web site. Have the class calculate a sample weight on one planet. Have each student practice using the same weight value so that it will be easy to ensure that all students grasp the concept by checking for accuracy.
6. have the students calculate their own weight on each planet in the solar system and record it on Handout 1: Solar System Weight Calculation Sheet. Make sure that students show their work. Students who may be sensitive about their weight may choose to use the weight of a favorite athlete or the weight of a favorite animal in their calculations.
7. check to ensure that the students have completed their work before moving on to the next step.
8. have the students check their calculations at the following Web site.

   How Much Would You Weigh on Another Planet?
   http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/games/weight.html

9. guide each student in creating a chart showing his or her calculated weight on each planet from least to greatest using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software. The students should enter their information exactly as it is appears in the table on Handout 1: Solar System Weight Calculation Sheet. Once the information has been entered into the Excel worksheet, the students should sort the data in ascending order by the "Weight" column. The students should then create a column graph entitled "Planetary Weight Chart" from the data entered into the worksheet. Use the instructions on Handout 2: Solar System Weight Chart Instructions.
10. grade completed chart using Handout 3: Solar System Weight Chart Checklist.

Student Activities: The student will

1. listen to explanation of the planets that make up our solar system.
2. participate in a class discussion of gravitational attraction.
3. practice manipulating the algebraic equation for calculating one’s weight on other planets using the printable handout found at the following Web site:

   Weight and Age on Other Planets
   http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/space/planets/agewt.html

4. calculate his or her weight (or the weight of a favorite athlete or favorite animal) on each planet of the solar system using Handout 1: Solar System Weight Calculation Sheet. Students should include their work on the handout.
5. check weight calculations using the following Web site:

   How Much Would You Weigh on Another Planet?
   http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/games/weight.html

6. insert the calculated weight values into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet exactly as they appear in the table found on Handout 1: Solar System Weight Calculation Sheet.
7. create a column graph showing his or her weight from least to greatest using Handout 2: Solar System Weight Chart Instructions.

Accommodations:

• Be particularly sensitive to the feelings of students in asking them to use their actual weights. If students are uncomfortable sharing that information, they may choose to use the weight of a favorite professional athlete, or they may use the average weight of their favorite animal.

Extension Activities:

• For more advanced practice manipulating algebraic equations, the teacher may give the students weights of objects on certain planets and have the students calculate the corresponding weight on Earth.
• The students may use Microsoft Excel to calculate the weight on each planet by entering the formulas and then copying and pasting the formulas into the appropriate cells.
• To practice English/metric conversions, the students may convert their weight in pounds to kilograms before finding the weight on the different planets.

Integration:

• Math
• Science
• Technology

Assessments:

1. Teacher will grade planetary weight chart using Handout 3: Solar System Weight Chart Checklist.

URLs:

• NASA Home Page
  http://www.nasa.gov
• StarChild: A Learning Center for Young Astronomers
  http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html
• Your Weight On Other Worlds
  http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/index.html
• Weight and Age on Other Planets
  http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/space/planets/agewt.html
• How Much Would You Weigh on Another Planet?
  http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/games/weight.html

Curriculum Frameworks

Mississippi:

Fifth Grade

5. Use the basic operations to investigate and apply whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. (P, D, M, G, N)

Sixth Grade

1. Apply the use of algebraic functions, patterns, sequences, and language. (P, D, M, G, N)

National Educational Technology Standards (NETS):

1. Use keyboards and other common input and output devices efficiently and effectively. (1)

TerraNova:

10 Number and Number Relations (Level 10-21/22)
Demonstrate an understanding of numbers, number sense, and number theory by ordering numbers, representing numbers in equivalent forms, identifying relationships, interpreting numbers in real-world situations, and applying number concepts in real-world situations.

Communicate, model, or represent an understanding of number and number relationships.

12 Operation Concepts (Level 11-21/22)
Demonstrate an understanding of the properties and relationships of operations, relate mathematical representations to problem situations, and apply operational processes to solve problems.

Communicate, model, or represent an understanding of operation concepts.

Link and Feedback to Author(s):

Mary Graham, Houlka Attendance Center
Mgraham@chickasaw.k12.ms.us