1. Students will be able to construct explanations for how gravity affects the motion of objects in the Solar System and tides on Earth. 8.E.4B.2
2. Students will be able to develop and use models to explain how motions within the Sun-Earth-Moon system cause Earth phenomena including tides. 8.E.4B.4
Content Knowledge Support
- Read and compete interactive science workbook pages 170-173 and 196-201.
Discussion Topics
1. Evidence suggests that the Earth's Moon has been gradually moving away from Earth each year! If the Moon continues to move away from Earth explain how this movement will this specifically affect spring and neap tides experienced on Earth in the future?
Article
Video
2. Describe what Earth, the tides and our Solar System would be like without gravity using 3 or more specific details.
3. Planet Jupiter is thought to have up to 75 moons or more! Describe how you think these moons may affect Jupiter using 3 or more specific details in terms of gravity and tides.
Article
Video
2. Describe what Earth, the tides and our Solar System would be like without gravity using 3 or more specific details.
3. Planet Jupiter is thought to have up to 75 moons or more! Describe how you think these moons may affect Jupiter using 3 or more specific details in terms of gravity and tides.
Recommended Exercises
(Level 5) Creation
Collaboratively create a poster that accurately demonstrates moon phases, tides, and eclipses using this assignment TEMPLATE. |
Additional Exercises & Extensions
(Level 1) Comprehension
- Complete the Sun-Earth- Moon Quiz Google Form.
- Complete the Tides EDPuzzle.
- Explain the difference between mass and weight using 20-30 words.
- Complete the Tides Quizlet Set.
- Explain the difference between spring and neap tides using 20-30 words.
(Level 2) Application
- Complete the Gravity Exploration Google Form.
- Complete The Effects of Gravity SEPUP reading and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
- Research when the next spring and neap tides will occur in your area and explain why the tides are so predictable using 30-50 words.
- Take a selfie with the Moon and accurately explain what the tides would be at that time using 30-50 words.
- Moon phases, eclipses, and tides escape room.
(Level 3) Analysis
- Complete the Universal Gravitation SEPUP investigation and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
- Complete Tides and the Moon SEPUP investigation and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
- Investigate how the mass of a planet affect the height of your jump using this assignment TEMPLATE.
- Develop an understanding of ocean tides by comparing the depth of water near a dock to the positions of the Moon, Sun, and Earth. Determine the influence of the Moon and Sun on tides, and compare spring tides to neap tides using this assignment TEMPLATE.
- Does your weight vary in different cities in the world? Summarize what you learn from this article using 25 to 50 words.
- Draw and explain why would the Earth still have tides without the Moon?
(Level 4) Evaluation
- Check out this video. Explain using 75-100 words some misconceptions these people have about gravity and include an accurate description of why the Moon orbits Earth.
- Explain what Earth's tides would be like without the Moon using 50-75 words.
- Many people think spring tides are high tides and neap tides are low tides. Accurately explain to them the difference using 50-75 words.
- Which factor has a greater impact on the force of gravity mass or distance? Explain why using 50-75 words and justify your response using at least 2 sources of evidence.
(Level 5) Creation
- Collaboratively create a poster that accurately demonstrates moon phases, tides, and eclipses using this assignment TEMPLATE.
- Create an original infographic that explains how both mass and distance influence Earth's tides.
- Create an accurate poster that would show both the spring and neap tides on Earth if it had two moons.
Additional Explorations
- How does the Moon orbiting the Earth affect the timing of high and low tides. Explain how this results in the tides occurring at different times every day?
- Orbits may change due to the gravitational effects from, or collisions with, other objects in the solar system. Research and find examples of gravitational changes in our Solar System.
Future Learning Connections (9-12)
- Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the properties and features of the moon to support claims that it is unique among other moons in the Solar System in its effects on the planet it orbits.
English Language Learners
Module Review Resources
Vocabulary Practice
Please provide any feedback you would like about this module below. This could include anything from typos, broken links, how the content was presented during the topics, your engagement in the content or your opinion about the assignment activities. Anything you wish to share that would help improve this module would be greatly appreciated.