1. Topic: Gravity and Motion PSSA: 3.4.7.C/S8.C.1.1

2. Objective: TLW explain the effects of gravity and air resistance on falling objects.

3. MI #1: Falling Objects In the late 1500’s, Galileo proved that the rate at which an object falls is not dependent on its mass. Objects fall at the same rate because the acceleration due to gravity is the same for all objects on Earth.

4. MI #2: Acceleration Due to Gravity On Earth, acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s/s. You can calculate the change in velocity of a falling object using the equation Δv = g x t, where Δv = change in velocity and g = acceleration due to gravity.

5. MI #3: Air Resistance Air resistance is the force that opposes motion through the air. Objects accelerate as they fall until the upward force of air resistance = the downward force of gravity. This point is called terminal velocity.

6. So What…? Real Life Application Understanding gravity and falling objects is important because it helps us understand how gravity acts on all objects.