Gravitational Forces – Science Games for Middle

6 games

In this series of science games, your students will learn how gravity functions and is measured. The Gravitational Force learning objective – based on NGSS and state standards –  delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research.

Scroll down for a preview of this learning objective’s games and the concepts they drive home.

Concepts Covered

Gravity is the force of attraction between two objects with mass. The larger the mass and the closer the objects, the stronger the gravitational pull. This force acts from one object’s center of mass to the other’s.

Measuring gravity between two objects is difficult unless one is extremely large, like a planet. Weight is the measure of gravity acting on an object’s mass. Since Earth has more mass than the Moon, you weigh more on Earth than on the Moon.

Gravity pulls objects toward Earth’s center, making falling objects speed up and slowing down objects moving away. It also keeps planets in orbit around the Sun and the Moon orbiting Earth.

Below is a preview of each game designed to support this learning objective.

Access all of the games on Legends of Learning for free, forever, with a teacher account.

Image for Wave Interference - Waves
Wave Interference - Waves Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Make waves with a dripping faucet, speaker, or laser. Adjust the frequency and amplitude, and observe the changes in the wave. Design experiments to measure wavelength and wave speed. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Wave Interference - Interference
Wave Interference - Interference Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Explore how a pair of wave sources create an interference pattern. Adjust the source frequency and separation, and determine how to change the interference pattern. Identify points of constructive and destructive interference by eye, and by using the detectors. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Wave Interference - Slits
Wave Interference - Slits Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Put up a barrier to see how the waves move through one or two slits, and discover the resulting interference pattern. Determine how to change the pattern by adjusting the slit width and separation. Predict the location of the interference maxima and minima, and verify your predictions. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Basketball Master
Basketball Master Estimated Duration: 12 minutes Shoot a basketball through the hoop and answer some questions along the way! The game does not have any instructional content, it simply has review questions spread throughout.
Image for Waves Intro - Sound
Waves Intro - Sound Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Make sound waves with a speaker, and hear the tone it produces. Adjust the frequency and amplitude, and observe the changes in the wave. Design experiments to measure wavelength and wave speed. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Robot Chef
Robot Chef Estimated Duration: 18 minutes Congratulations, you are creating the first all-robot restaurant in the city! As you serve more customers, you will be able to build more robots to assist in delivering tasty treats. Attend Night School and answer questions to earn advanced robot chefs!
Image for Wavebot
Wavebot Estimated Duration: 16 minutes Join Dr. Camila and Wavebot as they discover the effects of waves on their environment. Play through all 8 levels of this puzzle and compete for the high score!
Image for Earthquake!
Earthquake! Estimated Duration: 20 minutes How good are you at predictions? Can you figure out when—and how powerfully—an earthquake will hit Square City? Triangulation is the key!
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