You will learn
- Describe gravity.
- Distinguish mass and weight.
- Compare weight on planets.
- Test falling objects.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Gravity pulls toward Earth’s centre.
- Weight is a force in newtons.
- Mass stays the same everywhere.
- Heavier and lighter objects fall at the same rate without air resistance.
Words to know
the force that pulls objects toward each other
the pull of gravity on an object
the amount of matter in an object
falling with only gravity acting
1. Discover: The moon walk
Dela weighs 350 newtons on Earth. On the Moon she would weigh only about 58 newtons because the Moon’s gravity is weaker. “My mass is unchanged,” she says. “Only my weight changes.”
Think: Why can astronauts jump high on the Moon?
2. Understand: Gravity
Idea 1: Gravity
Gravity pulls everything toward Earth’s centre. It keeps us on the ground and the Moon in orbit.
Idea 2: Mass and weight
Mass is the amount of matter, in kilograms. Weight is the pull of gravity, in newtons. Weight = mass times about 10 on Earth.
Idea 3: Falling
Without air resistance, all objects fall at the same rate. A feather falls slowly in air because of air resistance.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Calculate
Weight of 2 kg.
- Times 10.
- 20 N.
- Newtons.
Answer: About 20 N.
Example 2 (We do it together): Explain
Moon.
- Weaker.
- Lower weight.
- Same mass.
Answer: Weight is less, mass same.
Example 3 (You try): Explain
Feather.
Show the steps and answer
- Air resistance.
- Slow.
- Vacuum same.
Answer: Air resistance slows it.
Did you know?
Astronaut David Scott dropped a hammer and a feather on the Moon in 1971 and they hit the ground together.
Why this matters
Gravity shapes planets, tides and our daily movement.
4. Explore: Drop test
Drop a heavy and a light ball from the same height, then paper flat and crumpled, and compare fall times.
- Drop two balls together.
- Time or watch.
- Drop flat and crumpled paper.
- Compare.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? The balls landed together; flat paper fell slower.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- ___ pulls objects toward Earth.
- ___ is the pull of gravity.
- ___ is the amount of matter.
- ___ is falling with only gravity.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is gravity?
Pull.
Question 2. What is weight?
Pull in N.
Question 3. What is mass?
Amount.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is gravity?
- What is weight?
- What is mass?
- What is free fall?
- Which changes on Moon?
Level 2: Grow
- Why paper slow?
- Why jump high?
- Why mass same?
Level 3: Stretch
- Run drops.
- Calculate weights.
- Explain.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
Explain why mass stays the same on the Moon but weight changes.
Show a sample answer
Use gravity.
Another one. Tell a family member one thing from this lesson. Use the words you learned.
Show a sample answer
A clear sentence that uses at least one word from Words to know.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Same without air.
Fix: Different.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can describe gravity.
- I can distinguish mass and weight.
- I can compare weight on planets.
- I can test falling objects.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Gravity pulls toward Earth’s centre.
- Weight is a force in newtons.
- Mass stays the same everywhere.
- Heavier and lighter objects fall at the same rate without air resistance.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Friction. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Define gravity, mass and weight. [3 marks]
- Calculate the weight of 3 kg. [2 marks]
- Explain the Moon difference. [3 marks]
- Safety rule. [2 marks]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- 1 each
- Times 10 [1]; 30 N [1]
- Weaker gravity [1]; weight less [1]; mass same [1]
- Any [1]; reason [1]
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is gravity?
- What is weight?
- What is mass?
- What is free fall?
- Which changes on Moon?
- Why paper slow?
- Why jump high?
- Why mass same?
- Run drops.
- Calculate weights.
Homework
Predict your weight on the Moon (one sixth).
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is gravity? | Pull. | 1 |
| 2. What is weight? | Pull in N. | 1 |
| 3. What is mass? | Amount. | 1 |
| 4. What is free fall? | Only gravity. | 1 |
| 5. Which changes on Moon? | Weight. | 1 |
| 6. Why paper slow? | Air resistance. | 1 |
| 7. Why jump high? | Weaker gravity. | 1 |
| 8. Why mass same? | Same matter. | 1 |
| 9. Run drops. | Table. | 1 |
| 10. Calculate weights. | Sums. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Pull.; 2 Pull in N.; 3 Amount.; 4 Only gravity.; 5 Weight.. Level 2: 1 Air resistance.; 2 Weaker gravity.; 3 Same matter.. Level 3: 1 Table.; 2 Sums.; 3 Sentence..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Describe gravity | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Distinguish mass and weight | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Compare weight on planets | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Test falling objects | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “Heavy things fall faster.” Same without air.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Explain gravity.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child studies gravity. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Drop soft items.
- Ask “Why do things fall?”
- Keep clear of drops.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: describe gravity; distinguish mass and weight; compare weight on planets; test falling objects.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 4 ideas: pushes and pulls, gravity, friction, simple machines and strength and stability of structures.
Materials. Balls, paper. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Clear floor.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Drop a pen and ask, “Why does it fall?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach gravity.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners test.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners calculate.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Mass or weight? Which planet?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with real objects and safe, hands-on observation. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always say “how do you know?”. Keep to the safety notes, and use local, safe materials.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and pictures, short sentences and a partner. Let learners point, show or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example at home and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “Heavy things fall faster.” Same without air.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 10-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Explain gravity. Enrichment. Look for one new example near your home or school, draw it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Next Generation Science Standards, Cambridge Primary Science and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Science curriculum, Grade 5 Unit 6, topic 3; Next Generation Science Standards, forces and interactions; Cambridge Primary Science Stage 5, physics: forces and motion; IB Primary Years Programme, how the world works. These sources informed the lesson.