---
title: 5.E2U1.8
description: 5.E2U1.8 Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence to support an explanation that the gravitational force of Earth on objects is directed toward the planet’s center.
image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png
---

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# 5.E2U1.8

Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence to support an explanation that the gravitational force of Earth on objects is directed toward the planet’s center.

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 Science & Engineering Practices

- [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models)
- [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations)
- [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions)
- [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence)
- [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information)

 Disciplinary Core Ideas

- [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate)
- [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer)

 Crosscutting Concepts

- [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns)
- [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect)

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## Browse 5.E2U1.8 Lesson Plans

Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-11-45-35-6461-AM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system)

## [Motion in the Solar System In this lesson, students model the solar system and analyze Earth’s place in the system as well as how the force of gravity causes the planets to move around the sun in predictable, regular paths. This page serves to highlight the key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/balanced-vs-unbalanced-forces>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-02-41-11-9781-PM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/balanced-vs-unbalanced-forces)

## [Balanced vs. Unbalanced Forces In this unit, students analyze the phenomena of matter, forces, and energy. In this lesson, they compare the effects of unbalanced versus balanced forces on objects. They then evaluate how matter interacts with and is changed by energy, which transfers from one object or system to another. This page showcases key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/balanced-vs-unbalanced-forces)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/balanced-vs-unbalanced-forces)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-launchers>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-09-2023-05-19-06-0943-AM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-launchers)

## [Engineering Launchers In this unit, students explore the phenomena of forces, energy, and motion in systems involving simple machines. In this lesson, students solve a problem by prototyping solutions to launch objects. This page highlights each component of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-launchers)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-launchers)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/engineering-skyscrapers>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-01-01-27-2256-PM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/engineering-skyscrapers)

## [Engineering Skyscrapers In this unit, students analyze the science phenomena of different forces that can act on all structures. They begin by exploring how forces act on different materials and shapes. They then use what they know about forces to design a skyscraper prototype in this lesson, evaluating how their design relates to the ability of the skyscraper to withstand the weight of the structure and the people on it, as well as the force of wind.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/engineering-skyscrapers)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/engineering-skyscrapers)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/comparing-forces>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-11-29-44-7026-AM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/comparing-forces)

## [Comparing Forces In this unit, students learn about the tiny particles called atoms that make up all matter in the universe. In this lesson, students compare the effects of different forces on objects. This page serves to highlight the key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/comparing-forces)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/comparing-forces)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/forces-and-materials>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-12-54-50-2895-PM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/forces-and-materials)

## [Forces and Materials In this unit, students continue to explore the science phenomenon of forces, analyzing how structures have to be able to withstand all of the forces that act on them. Students begin by testing different materials and shapes to see how they respond to different types of forces.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/forces-and-materials)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/forces-and-materials)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/scaling-the-sun-earth-moon-system>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/conservation-of-matter2.jpg) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/scaling-the-sun-earth-moon-system)

## [Scaling the Sun Earth Moon System In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of how all matter in the universe is made up of different combinations of atoms formed from chemical reactions. In this lesson, students use scale models to compare properties of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/scaling-the-sun-earth-moon-system)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/scaling-the-sun-earth-moon-system)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/patterns>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/conservation-of-matter.jpg) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/patterns)

## [Patterns In this unit, students discuss how all matter in the universe is made up of different combinations of atoms formed from chemical reactions. They use scale models to compare properties of the sun, moon, and Earth, and then use that knowledge to analyze the science phenomena of how patterns are formed by the relative positions and movements of the sun, moon, and Earth. This page highlights key components of this lesson on patterns.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/patterns)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/patterns)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/engineering-roller-coasters>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-06-19-35-2600-PM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/engineering-roller-coasters)

## [Engineering Roller Coasters In this unit, students use sleds and roller coasters to explore the relationship between energy, forces, and motion. In this lesson, students apply what they know about energy and forces to engineer a roller coaster. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/engineering-roller-coasters)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/engineering-roller-coasters)

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-transfers-and-levers>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-09-2023-05-12-39-7228-AM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-transfers-and-levers)

## [Energy Transfer and Levers In this lesson students focus on phenomena created by levers, exploring how the structure of the lever determines how much force it can produce to do work. This page is a high-level extract showcasing various parts of the lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-transfers-and-levers)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-transfers-and-levers)

Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.

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