How does gravity affect heavy and light objects?
Materials needed
- Large book
- Small book
- Wadded paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Paper clip
- Paper
Procedure
1. Take the large book in one hand and the small boo in other. Hold the two books at exactly the same height.
2.
Drop both books at the same time, but before you drop them, predict
which one will fall faster. Have someone watch to see which book hits
the floor first.
3. Repeat the book drop three times to be sure of your results.
4. Which book falls faster, the large one or the small one?
5. Compare the pencil and the paper in the same way. First predict which you think will fall faster.
6.
Compare the various objects, two at a time. In each case predict which
will fall faster, and then drop them together three times to test your
prediction.
8. Explain how the force of gravity compares with
objects that are large, small, heavy, and light, according to your
findinding, how do the falling speeds compare?
9. Compare the falling speed of the wadded paper with that of a flat sheet of paper dropped horizontally.
10. Compare the falling speeds of two flat sheets of paper, one dropped vertically and the other horizantly.
11. Compare the falling speed of the wad of paper with that of a flat sheet of paper dropped vertically.
12. Discuss your observations with your group.
For problem solvers:
go to encyclopedias and other resources and do some research about
gravity, can you find out what really causes gravity? How large does an
object have to be in order for it to have a gravitational attraction for
other things? How much do scientists know about gravity?
Teacher Information
The force of gravity pulls all objects to the earth at the same rate,
regardless of the size or weight of the object. Air resistance can slow
the rate of fall, so the flute paper held in horizontal position will
fall more slowly. Except for the factor of air resistance, however, the
rate of fall is equal. A rock and a feather will fall at the same speed
if placed in a vacuumed chamber.
Scientists are
still trying to figure out exactly what gravity is. They have learned a
great though the force is too weak to really notice unless the objects
are huge, as with planets and stars.
