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Performance Task

Gravity Check

Comparing Gravities

Comparing Gravities

A dropped object hits the ground after $$n$$ seconds. The expression $$\frac{1}{2}​a(t + n)(t - n)$$ represents the height (in meters) of the object $$t$$ seconds after it is dropped.

  • Write the expression as a polynomial in standard form and explain the meaning of each term.
  • Predict the initial height of an object that takes 0.5 second to hit the ground on Earth. Perform an experiment to check your answer.
  • Create a display that compares the initial height of an object that hits the ground after 1 second on each planet.

Did You Know?

  • You exert the same gravitational pull on the Earth that it does on you. However, your pull doesn't affect Earth because you are so much smaller than Earth.
  • The gravitational pull of the moon on seawater causes the ocean tides.
  • A planet does not orbit the center of a star. The planet and star actually orbit their center of mass called the barycenter.

Find Out More – Search Topics

  • Gravity
  • Barycenter