Gravity Pulls Things Down

Science · Space Exploration · ages 9-11

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Gravity is a pulling force, not a pushing force.
Circle one: True False
What is gravity?
- A force that pulls things toward Earth's center
- A force that pushes things away from Earth
- A kind of wind
Omar jumps off a low wall. Which way does gravity pull him while he is in the air?
- Up toward the sky
- Down toward the ground, which is toward Earth's center
- Sideways, away from the wall
What keeps the Moon circling around Earth instead of flying off into space?
- Gravity
- Wind
- Sunlight
Mia lives in Brazil. Sam lives in Australia, on the opposite side of the world. Which way is 'down' for Sam?
- Toward the sky, since he's upside down compared to Mia
- There is no 'down' for Sam
- Toward Earth's center, just like Mia
The same force that pulls an apple down from a tree also keeps planets orbiting the Sun.
Circle one: True False
You already learned Earth spins on its axis and orbits the Sun. What force keeps Earth from flying away from the Sun as it orbits?
- The Moon's pull
- Earth's spin alone
- Gravity between the Sun and Earth
Jordan says people in Australia must hang upside down because they live on the 'bottom' of the globe. What is wrong with Jordan's idea?
- Jordan is right, Australians really do hang upside down
- Down means toward Earth's center everywhere, so people in Australia stand upright just like anyone else
- Gravity does not work in Australia

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

True · Gravity always pulls objects toward Earth's center. It never pushes them away.
A force that pulls things toward Earth's center · Gravity is a pulling force, and it pulls everything toward the middle of the Earth.
Down toward the ground, which is toward Earth's center · Gravity pulls every object toward Earth's center. For Omar, that direction is down toward the ground.
Gravity · Earth's gravity pulls on the Moon and keeps it moving in a path around Earth.
Toward Earth's center, just like Mia · Down always points toward Earth's center, no matter where you stand on the globe.
True · Gravity works the same way everywhere: pulling apples down and pulling planets toward the Sun.
Gravity between the Sun and Earth · Gravity between the Sun and Earth keeps pulling Earth back into its path, so Earth keeps orbiting instead of flying off in a straight line.
Down means toward Earth's center everywhere, so people in Australia stand upright just like anyone else · A sphere has no 'bottom'. Down always points toward the center, so everyone stands upright from their own point of view.