S2.5.5 For the adult
Gravity and falling
Why does a stone fall down when I let go?
What this chapter teaches
Gravity is the pull of the Earth on things. It pulls towards the centre of the Earth, wherever you stand. Weight is the pull of gravity on a thing, measured in newtons. Big and small stones fall together, and air is what slows a flat sheet of paper.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- If you drop a big stone and a small one together, what do you predict, and why?
- Why does a flat sheet of paper fall slowly?
- Which way does gravity pull a person on the other side of the Earth?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Explain that gravity pulls things towards the centre of the Earth
- Explain that weight is the pull of gravity on an object
What they copy into their notebook
Gravity is the pull of the Earth on things. It pulls towards the centre of the Earth. Weight is the pull of gravity on a thing, in newtons. Big and small stones fall together.