MicrogravityMicrogravity
The physiological effects of weightlessness must be considered in the design of
orbital space settlements. The Earth creates a gravitational field that acts to attract
objects with a force inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the
center of the object and the center of the Earth. When measured on the surface of the Earth,
the acceleration of an object acted upon is commonly referred to as one g or one Earth gravity.
A microgravity environment (space) is one that will impart to an object a net acceleration
small (about 1 percent of Earth's gravitational acceleration) compared with that produced
by Earth at its surface.
Group size
Time required
Materials
Student Objectives
Lesson Activity:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Author: Bryan Yager
This site was hosted by the NASA Ames Research Center from 1994-2018 and is now hosted by:Space Settlement relevance
Prolonged activity periods in microgravity result in negative effects on the human physiology.
The orbital space habitat must be designed to generate artificial or psuedogravity to minimize
these effects.
Related Links
Grades
6-8
Group activity/pairs
Two 45 minute periods
Instructional Goal
National
standards (5-8) addressed
Student will:
Prerequisite Knowledge
Concept of gravity, microgravity and weightlessness
Get the materials necessary to conduct the activity. This will vary.
Each student will read the background information brief.
Have each pair of students use the internet to search for the explanation of each of
the following equations. If they need guidance you might suggest the following site:
Quest
Have each pair of students complete the Falling
Water activity. This is a very simple activity that requires the following materials.
Print out
activity sheet.
Curator: Al Globus
If you find any errors on this page contact Al Globus.
