Why does the moon stay put, never getting too close or too far from Earth? See the truth unfold through interviews and a simulation using a basketball and a tennis ball. The host helps guide the discussion, all while spinning a ball to simulate Earth's rotation.

Concepts

the moon, the earth, force of gravity, mass, rotations

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have partners recreate the moon and Earth relationship for a fun in-class activity
• The video works as a starter for lessons on gravity    

Classroom Considerations

• Be sure that learners can differentiate between gravity and the other attractive force mentioned in the resource, magnetism

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Interviewer skillfully guides his subjects toward the correct answer as each person tries to simulate the Earth-moon relationship
• The video provides context for a discussion about why the distance between Earth and moon stays the same

Cons

• None