Effects of Gravity

3 Effects of Gravity and some gravity teaching activities

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Let's Explore Gravity

Objective: Describe the three effects of gravity.

MatchCard: Download below.
Diagrams the effects of gravity on the Earth's surface, with two celestial bodies in space, and attraction between two large bodies.

Projects: Play some tricks with the center of gravity. Does gravity have a larger effect on heavier objects?

Print the Effects of Gravity MatchCard

This is MatchCard #5 of the Force and Motion Unit Study. You can find more information on MatchCard Science below.

So What Is Gravity?: Introducting the Lesson

Preliminary Activity

Before discussing gravity, have the student perform this activity.

• Get a straight backed kitchen chair. (If your student is smaller, a child sized chair may be needed)
• Sit with your back straight against the back of the chair and your spine straight.
• Keep your feet flat on the ground.
• Fold your arms across your chest.
• Keeping your back straight, try to stand up.

Ask them why they could not stand up.

Answer: The student cannot stand up while keeping his/her back straight, because the center of gravity cannot be moved.

Gravity and The Apple

Ask the students what they know about gravity. Hold an apple, ball, or other item about that size and let it drop.

The story of Isaac Newton having an apple fall from a tree is well-known, though some scientific historians caution that it has not been proven. (Hmmm, how would you prove someone got hit by an apple 350 years ago, anyway?

Students can share what they know about gravity, Newton's apple, and the contribution of Newton to science and mathematics. Extra credit activity could be to make a list of many of Newton's contributions to science. Regardless of whether he got hit on the head with an apple or not, it is impressive!

Three Effects of Gravity

Definition of Gravity

Gravity is a natural force of attraction between any two massive bodies. Gravity increases as the mass of the objects increases. It decreases when the distance between them increases.

1st Effect: Objects to Earth

Objects are drawn towards the center of the earth.

Discuss this effect. How ddoes it effect apples and other objects?

Brainstorm ways life on earth would be different without this effect of gravity.

2nd Effect: Celestial Bodies

Objects are drawn towards a large, celestial body.

3rd Effect: Objects to Each Other

The attraction between two objects increases as the size increases, and decreases as the distance between them increases.

Theoretically, the force of gravity can act on any two objects with mass. Put two books or other items on a table. Does gravity appear to be pulling them towards each other? (No)

Let one book or object fall. Gravity pulled it towards the center of the earth. Why didn't it pull the book towards the other book? (Answer - the earth has more mass than the other book.)

Besides items falling towards the center of the earth, do you see any other effects of gravity?

One of the most common is the daily tides. As the moon gets closer to a particular body of water, gravity pulls the water towards the moon. That affect weakens as the earth rotates and the moon is further away.

Gravity Activities

Effect of weight on Gravity

You will need objects approximately the same size, but different weight.

Hold two objects of different weight at arms length. Drop them at the same time. They will probably hit the ground about the same time.

Drop them off a second or third story balconey (make sure no one is below.) Which one hits fastest? Why?

Center of Gravity

Walk across the room. You may not notice it, but you need to keep your center of balance in order to move.

Talk about riding a bicycle and maintaining balance.

Hop on one foot. Do you notice you leaned to one side to maintain your center of balance against gravity. Try to hop without leaning.

Here's another demonstration. Stand with your back against a wall. Someone else should put a toy or object 18 inches away from the wall. You need to pick it up without bending your knees or moving your feet.

Balance a ruler on your finger. You need to put the middle of the ruler on your finger.

Now balance a spoon or object that is assymetrical on your finger. You have to find the center of gravity in order to make it balance.

Try it with a variety of kitchen utensils. Use a piece of chalk and mark where you think the center of gravity would be just by looking at the object. Then try to balance it and see how close you are.