Standard: 5.3.6Demonstrate that things on or

near Earth are pulled toward it by Earth’s gravity.

Let’s find out about GRAVITY!!

Definitions

Force: A push or a pull on an object.

Gravity: the force of attraction by which earthly bodies tend to fall toward the center of the earth.

Air Resistance: A force that slows something as it is moving through the air.

To think about…."Common sense suggests that heavy objects

are pulled toward the Earth with greater force than lighter objects. That is why they feel "heavier"; they are pulling harder against our hands as they try to fall to Earth. Does this mean that a heavy object will fall faster than a light object?"

PLUM

WATERMELON

Galileo’s Experiment According to legend, Galileo, did an experiment

where he dropped two objects of different weights (a one pound, and ten pound weight) from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Did he prove that two objects of different weights hit the ground at the same time? Write your guess of what will happen on a piece of paper.

MaterialsYou will need the following

items to complete this experiment:

The chart (listed on the next two slides)

A pencil Rock Book Crumpled piece of paper Feather

•Penny

•Marker

•Basketball

•Stick

•Newspaper

•Baseball

•Apple

•Yardstick

Now it’s your turn!In the chart on the next two slides, write down

the height from which you dropped the object. You

should use the chart on the next two slides. 1.Use a yardstick to measure the height that you

are dropping the objects from. 2.Guess which object will hit the ground first of

each group of 2 objects, and why. 3.Drop two objects from the same height at the

exact same time. 4.Record which object hit the ground first, and

why you think that was the case.

Our Experiment  Approx. Height Dropped from

Guess which object will hit the ground first. Why?

Do the experiment. Which actually hit the ground first? Why?

1.Rock

2. feather

1. Piece of paper

2. Book

1. Crumpled piece of paper

2.penny

Objects Dropped Guess which object will hit the ground first? Why?

Do the experiment. Which actually hit the ground first? Why?

1.Leaf

2. Basketball

1. Stick

2. Newspaper

1. Baseball

2. Apple

…and the answer is…

Did you know?!If gravity is the only force acting on the objects,

a lighter object such as a plum, and a heavier object such as a watermelon will always hit the ground at the same time. However, when other forces, such as air resistance are acting on an object, objects such as a piece of paper, a feather, or a leaf will drift a while before hitting the ground.

If we were to do this experiment in a vacuum, all of the objects being dropped from the same height would hit the ground at the same time.

Gravity at HomeHow can you experience gravity at home? After

finishing this PowerPoint, go home and figure out how gravity affects your home.

For example, how does gravity affect you on the swings in your backyard?

ORWhat happens when your little brother drops his

cup of milk from his high chair?Go and have some fun with this!

Resources http://www.indianastandards.org/

resources.asp?Subject=sci&Grade=5&Standard=3&Indicator=5.3.6&Resource=4137

http://www.gravitystation.com/http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-

projects/project_ideas/Phys_p015.shtml