ACTIVITY SHEET SCIENCE BEHIND GRAVITY Gravity is a pulling force and objects do not have to touch each other for the force of gravity to affect them. Every object in the universe that has mass has a gravitational pull. Even you and the people around you exert a gravitational pull on each other, but since none of us are very big, it isn’t strong at all. When you look at something with great mass, like a planet or a star, gravitational pull becomes very strong. Bigger mass doesn’t always mean a bigger object, think about the differences between a bowling ball and a basketball. They are about the same size, but the bowling ball has more mass, and therefore it is heavier. There is more material inside the bowling ball and gravity has a lot more matter to grab onto. You will be able to see the effects of gravity when you create your pom pom painting. If you drop your pom pom from a greater height, it will have more time in the air for gravity to pull on it. Since it will hit the ground at a greater speed, there will be more force when the pom pom hits the ground, resulting in a larger paint splotch. If you drop it from a lower height, the pom pom will have less time to accelerate and will travel slower, hitting the paper with less force and creating a smaller splotch.
KEY TERMS • • • • • • •
Accelerate - to undergo a change in speed. Exert - to put forth or into use. Force - strength or power exerted upon an object. Gravity - a pulling force created by objects with mass. Mass - the quantity of matter in an object. Object - a material thing that can be seen and touched. Universe - all existing matter, everything we can touch, feel measure, sense and detect.
401 SW Second Street • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 • 954.467.6637
ACTIVITY SHEET GRAVITY DROP KEY TERMS • Gravity - the force of Earth pulling objects to Earth. • Mass - the quantity of matter in an object. • Air Resistance - the force against gravity, the drag, found in parachutes.
STEPS
SUPPLIES • • • • •
Piece of paper Small toys Crayon Pom Poms Other small objects that can be dropped
1. Take an object. Feel and describe it. How much mass 2. 3. 4. 5.
or weight does it have? Hold object at shoulder level and let go. Count to see how long it took to reach the ground. Try a different item. Did it take shorter or longer to reach the ground? Notice the sound when it touches down. Does it make a difference if it is on carpet or a hard floor? Crumple the paper, does it fall faster or slower than the flat paper?
EXPLORATION I wonder if gravity is the same on the moon and in space.
401 SW Second Street • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 • 954.467.6637
ACTIVITY SHEET PAINTING WITH PHYSICS GRAVITY FACTS • Gravity pulls the same on all items. • Air resistance is a drag force that slows down an object. • Gravity is different in space and on other planets. • Weight depends on gravity, mass is independent of gravity.
SUPPLIES • • • • •
STEPS
Pom Poms Paint Large paper Dish for paint Ladder or chair
1. Set up paper on the ground and place chair or ladder beside it. 2. Soak the pom poms in paint. 3. Stand on top of ladder and drop the pom poms onto the paper. 4. Remove pom poms and see the size of the splotches. 5. Continue to drop until painting is complete.
EXPLORATION I wonder what would happen if I dropped the pom poms closer or farther away from the paper. 401 SW Second Street • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 • 954.467.6637