Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the concept of gravitational acceleration and its importance in the study of gravitation.
2. Calculate gravitational acceleration in different situations using the formula a = G * (m1 + m2) / r², where a is the acceleration, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the bodies involved, and r is the distance between them.
3. Apply the concept of gravitational acceleration to understand the motion of celestial bodies and the dynamics of artificial satellites.

Secondary Objectives:

• Foster problem-solving skills and the application of complex mathematical formulas in Physics.
• Develop critical thinking and the ability to abstract when dealing with abstract concepts such as gravitation and acceleration.
• Stimulate curiosity and interest in Physics, showing how this science can explain phenomena in our daily lives and the universe.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Previous Content: The teacher starts the lesson by reviewing the concepts of gravitational force and the universal law of gravitation, which were studied in previous classes. This can be done through a brief review of these concepts or even through a small question-and-answer game to engage the students. (3 - 5 minutes)

2. Problem Situations: The teacher proposes two situations to instigate the curiosity of the students and introduce the topic of the lesson:

   • Situation 1: "Why doesn't the Moon fall to Earth? How does it manage to 'orbit' our planet, staying at a relatively constant distance?"
   • Situation 2: "Why don't artificial satellites fall to Earth? How are they 'launched' into space and 'trapped' in orbits around Earth?" (5 - 7 minutes)

3. Contextualization: The teacher explains that these questions are related to the topic of the lesson, gravitational acceleration. He emphasizes the importance of this concept in understanding the motion of celestial bodies and the dynamics of artificial satellites, which have practical applications in various areas such as communication, weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, among others. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Capturing Students' Attention: The teacher shares two curiosities about gravitational acceleration to capture the students' attention:

   • Curiosity 1: "Did you know that gravitational acceleration on the surface of the Earth is not the same everywhere? It varies slightly due to the irregular shape of our planet and the non-uniform distribution of its mass."
   • Curiosity 2: "What if I told you that gravitational acceleration can be negative? This happens in cases of highly elongated elliptical orbits, where the centripetal force exceeds the gravitational force, causing the body to 'rise' instead of 'fall.'" (3 - 5 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1 - Orbits Simulation (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Description: In this activity, students, divided into groups of up to five members, will use the PhET Interactive Simulations (https://phet.colorado.edu/pt_BR/simulation/gravity-and-orbits) to simulate the movement of celestial bodies in orbit.

   • Step by Step:

     1. The teacher introduces the simulator to the students, explaining the different variables that can be changed, such as the mass of the bodies and the distance between them.
     2. Each group chooses a scenario to simulate, for example, the orbit of the Moon around Earth or the orbit of Earth around the Sun.
     3. The students change the variables of the simulator to reproduce the chosen scenario and observe the resulting movement.
     4. The teacher guides the students to record their observations and conclusions, relating them to the concepts of gravitational acceleration and centripetal force.
     5. Each group shares their findings with the class, promoting a collective discussion.

2. Activity 2 - Calculation of Gravitational Acceleration (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Description: In this activity, students, still in their groups, will calculate the gravitational acceleration in different scenarios using the formula a = G * (m1 + m2) / r².

   • Step by Step:

     1. The teacher gives each group a list of scenarios, each with a different configuration of mass and distance.
     2. Using calculators, students calculate the gravitational acceleration for each scenario, filling in a table.
     3. After the calculation, students compare the values obtained and discuss the differences and similarities between them.
     4. The teacher then presents the actual values for each scenario, and students compare them with their calculations, discussing possible sources of error.
     5. Finally, students relate the results of the activity to what they observed in the simulation, reinforcing the concept of gravitational acceleration and its importance in the motion of celestial bodies.

3. Activity 3 - Debate on the Importance of Artificial Satellites (5 - 10 minutes):

   • Description: In this activity, students, still in their groups, will discuss the importance of artificial satellites for society, relating it to the concept of gravitational acceleration.

   • Step by Step:

     1. The teacher proposes the debate, presenting arguments for and against the use of artificial satellites in different areas such as communication, meteorology, weather forecasting, navigation, among others.
     2. Students, in their groups, choose a side (for or against) and prepare their arguments.
     3. Each group presents their arguments, and students are encouraged to question and counter the arguments of the opposing group.
     4. At the end of the debate, the teacher promotes a collective discussion, emphasizing the importance of using gravitational acceleration in the launch and maintenance of satellites in orbit.

These practical and playful activities allow students to visualize and better understand the concepts of gravitational acceleration, as well as develop teamwork, problem-solving, and argumentation skills. At the same time, they make the lesson more dynamic and engaging, contributing to the students' engagement and interest in the subject.

Return (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (3 - 4 minutes):

   • The teacher should promote a group discussion where each team will share the solutions or conclusions they found for the activities carried out.
   • The teacher should encourage students to explain the process they used to reach their conclusions and to justify their choices.
   • During the discussion, the teacher should ask questions to stimulate students' critical thinking and to ensure that everyone has understood the fundamental concepts of gravitational acceleration.

2. Connection with Theory (2 - 3 minutes):

   • After the group discussion, the teacher should review the theoretical concepts presented at the beginning of the lesson, connecting them with the practical activities carried out.
   • The teacher should highlight how the formula a = G * (m1 + m2) / r² was applied in the activity of calculating gravitational acceleration and how the concept of gravitational acceleration was used in the orbit simulation and the debate on the importance of artificial satellites.
   • The teacher can also take the opportunity to clarify any doubts that may have arisen during the group discussions.

3. Individual Reflection (1 - 2 minutes):

   • The teacher suggests that students make an individual reflection on what they learned in the lesson.
   • The teacher can ask questions such as: "What was the most important concept you learned today?" and "What questions have not been answered yet?".
   • Students will have a minute to think about these questions and, if they wish, they can share their answers with the class.

4. Teacher's Feedback (1 - 2 minutes):

   • Concluding the Return, the teacher should provide overall feedback on the class's participation and performance during the lesson.
   • The teacher should highlight the positive points, such as students' engagement, collaboration in group activities, and understanding of key concepts.
   • The teacher should also point out areas that need improvement, such as the need for more practice in problem-solving or the importance of maintaining focus and attention during the lesson.
   • The teacher's feedback should be constructive and motivating, always aiming at the development and progress of the students.

The Return is a crucial stage of the lesson plan, as it allows the teacher to assess the effectiveness of their teaching strategies, as well as the understanding and progress of their students. In addition, the Return provides students with the opportunity to consolidate their learning, reflect on their difficulties, and plan their next steps in studying the topic.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary and Recapitulation (2 - 3 minutes):

   • The teacher should start the Conclusion by summarizing the main points covered during the lesson. He should reinforce the concept of gravitational acceleration, the formula for its calculation, and the importance of this concept in understanding the motion of celestial bodies and the dynamics of artificial satellites.
   • The teacher can do this through a brief review, highlighting key points and clarifying any remaining doubts. He should ensure that all students have understood the fundamental concepts of the lesson.

2. Connection between Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes):

   • Next, the teacher should emphasize how the lesson connected the theory of gravitational acceleration with practice, through the activities of orbit simulation and calculation of gravitational acceleration.
   • The teacher should also highlight the real-world applications of these concepts, such as explaining the motion of celestial bodies and the dynamics of artificial satellites. He can cite concrete examples of these applications, such as weather forecasting, satellite communication, and GPS.

3. Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes):

   • The teacher should suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge on the subject. These materials may include books, articles, videos, and reference websites on gravitation and gravitational acceleration.
   • The teacher can also recommend that students practice more the calculation of gravitational acceleration, using different scenarios and values of mass and distance.

4. Relevance of the Subject (1 minute):

   • Finally, the teacher should highlight the importance of the subject for daily life. He should emphasize that although gravitational acceleration may seem like an abstract concept and distant from our reality, it has practical applications that directly affect our daily lives.
   • The teacher can cite examples, such as weather forecasting, which depends on monitoring done by artificial satellites, or GPS navigation, which also uses information provided by satellites in orbit.

The Conclusion is an essential stage of the lesson plan, as it allows the teacher to consolidate the learning, clarify doubts, and reinforce the importance of the subject studied. In addition, by suggesting extra materials and highlighting the practical applications of the subject, the Conclusion encourages students to continue studying and exploring the topic on their own, thus promoting autonomous and lasting learning.