16. How Much Do You Weigh

Purpose

To understand that weight is a measure of gravitational attraction and that this force is not the same on each planet.

Materials

"New" Weight Chart; Calculator; Bathroom scale

Gravity is a universal, natural force that attracts objects to each other. Gravity is the pull toward the center of an object; let's say, of a planet or a moon. When you weigh yourself, you are measuring the amount of gravitational attraction exerted on you by Earth. The Moon has a weaker gravitational attraction than Earth. In fact, the Moon's gravity is only 1/6 of Earth's gravity. So, you would weigh less on the Moon. How much would you weigh on the Moon and on the other planets?

Proceedure

1. Write your weight (or an estimate) here:

2. For a different planet, multiply your weight by the number given in the "New" Weight Chart.

Example for the Moon - for a person weighing 60 pounds on Earth:

60 x 1/6 = 10

A 60 pound person would weight 10 pounds on the Moon!

3. Follow the example and fill in the blanks in the "New" Weight Chart. Show your work.

Note for Space Day:
Encourage students to calculate 2-3 weights. Encourage them to work in groups to complete an entire chart. The goal is simply to get the concept.

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