Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Physical Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Physical Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Phenomenon
Students stand on a chair or step and hold a ball, a book, and a pencil at the same height above the ground. When they let go of the objects at the same time, all three fall straight down and land on the floor.
Students notice:
Heavy and light objects fall the same way
All objects move downward toward the ground
The direction of motion is always the same
Students ask:
Why do all objects fall downward when they are released?
Source:
https://www.science-sparks.com/gravity-experiments-for-kids-galileo/
Earth pulls on all objects with a force called gravity. Gravity is a force that acts at a distance and pulls objects toward the center of Earth. Because Earth is much larger than the objects near it, gravity always pulls those objects downward toward the ground.
When an object is held up, gravity is still pulling on it. As soon as the object is released, gravity causes it to move downward. This happens to heavy objects and light objects alike. Even though objects may fall at slightly different speeds because of air resistance, the direction of the gravitational force is always the same.
Source: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/physics/gravitational-force/
In this investigation, students drop different objects from the same height. Even though the objects are different shapes and masses, they all fall straight down. This shows that gravity does not pull sideways or upward. It always pulls objects toward Earth.
Scientists use repeated observations like this to support arguments about forces. When objects are released again and again and always move downward, the evidence supports the claim that Earth’s gravitational force on objects is directed down.
Object | Direction of Motion | Time to Reach Ground (s) |
|---|---|---|
Ball | Down | 0.8 |
Book | Down | 0.8 |
Pencil | Down | 0.9 |
Look at Table 1. What direction of motion is recorded for the ball, book, and pencil when they are dropped?
Using Figure 1, describe the pattern you observe in the direction of motion for all three objects.
Which statement is best supported by the data?
Look at Table 1 and Figure 2. How do the times to reach the ground compare among the ball, book, and pencil?
Which piece of evidence best supports the idea that Earth’s gravitational force is directed down?
How do the data from dropping different objects support the claim that Earth’s gravitational force on objects is directed down?
Prompt: Write a Claim, give Evidence from the investigation, and explain your Reasoning.