AN INVISIBLE

PULL

Aimee StoutStandard number 3-The physical settingIndicator number 5.6.3

SCIENCE STANDARD 3- STUDENTS CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE CHANGES OF EARTH AND SKY. THEY EXPLORE, DESCRIBE, AND CLASSIFY MATERIALS, MOTION, AND ENERGY.

Indicator 5.3.6- demonstrate that things on or near the Earth are pulled toward it by the Earth’s gravity.

Taken from: http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

Link to activity: http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_5_3_pull.pdf

DEFINITIONS

Gravity- The force of attraction by which objects tend to be pushed toward the center of the earth.

Force- A push or pull on an object

Push- to press upon or against an object with force in order to move it away.

Pull- to draw or haul toward oneself, in a particular direction.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Questions to think about:

Why does the rain fall down?

Why don’t we float like we are on the moon?

What makes the water in the faucet fall downward?

What happens when you drop an object?

MATERIALS NEEDED

Paper and pencil Chalkboard eraser Paper (not for writing) Yard stick

ACTIVITY

Put the eraser on your desk. Questions to think about:

Can the eraser move itself? What must happen for the eraser to move?

*Test ways to make your eraser move. Write down what you try.

Did you have to push or pull your eraser to move it?

ACTIVITY

That push or pull is called force.

Grab your eraser. What would happen if you let it go?

Drop your eraser. Why did your eraser fall?

There must have been a force that caused your eraser to fall.

Did you push your eraser to the floor??

ACTIVITY

Since you didn’t push your eraser, what pulled your eraser to the floor?

Gravity is the force that pushed your eraser to the floor.

What caused this apple to fall on the mans head in this picture?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

Now try dropping the piece of paper. Does the same thing happen? Using your yard stick, you are going to drop

the eraser and paper at the same time at the top of your yard stick. But first: Predict which will hit the floor first-write down

your answers. Why do you think this? Which one actually hits the floor first? How did gravity cause this?

REVIEW QUESTIONS If you are sitting on a tree limb that breaks, what

will happen? How do you know?

Why don’t airplanes float into space?

When something is dropped, can you see the force that pushes it down?

RESOURCES

Department of education website- http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

Link to activity- http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_5_3_pull.pdf

Definitions-http://www.dictionary.reference.com