Apollo 13 (Flick 2)

	Apollo 13 (1995)

	Concept featured in clip: Gravitational Force and Weight
	Location of clip:
	VHS: 40:00 - 44:00 min DVD: Chapter _____ Play Flickclip Here (Quicktime)

Summary of clip: In this scene, the crew of Apollo 13 is under the impression that they’re broadcasting live to the world from space. They are about 200,000 miles from the earth. They are feeling the effects of reduced gravity so you see them floating around the space shuttle.

Connection of flickclip to the concept: This is clip illustrates the effects of decreased gravitational force on every day activities like walking and drinking.

Suggestions to teachers:

1. Suggested questions for students when viewing the clip:

a. What are the properties of the gravitational force?

b. How does the strength of the gravitational force compare to the other forces in nature (i.e., electromagnetic, strong, and weak)?

c. Does the gravitational force depend on mass? Distance?

d. Why are astronauts weightless in orbit about the earth? Are they massless?

e. Explain why astronauts are able to carry heavy loads in space that they would not otherwise be able to carry on earth.

f. When astronauts make repairs (involving torque) on equipment in space, it is quite difficult. Explain why.