Testing Gravity

Testing Gravity

Gravity• A natural force

• Always pulling toward the center of Earth due to the Earth’s mass

Things dropped near the surface of the Earth at the same time accelerate at the same rate due to the Earth’s gravity.

Force

• Fancy word for pushing or pulling

• Makes things move or change their motion

• Gravity is a force that pulls things to the ground

Moon• Has 1/6 of the Earth’s gravity

due to the moon being made up of less mass

• Less gravity would make us float – like we see on the moon

If a child weighed 65 pounds on the Earth, theywould weigh 10 pounds on the moon.

Let’s Build a Tower

Connecting AMSTI Kits to Standards

MOTION – a change of position, speed or location, but motions requires a force to cause that change.

AMSTI KitKindergarten

STANDARD P4 – Identify properties of motion, including

change of position and change of speed

• Ramps – gravity pulls the objects down the ramp. The ramp makes them fall faster

• Balls – gravity pulls the balls down to the Earth

AMSTI KitFirst Grade

STANDARDP3 – Describe effects of forces on objects, including

change of speed, direction, and position.

• Crayfish/shapes – gravity pulls the objects down until you find the center of gravity (balance point)

• Ramps/Roller Coasters – gravity pulls the objects down the ramp. The ramp makes them fall faster

• Tops – must push the top to start spinning• Mobiles – must find the center of gravity• Parachutes – gravity with air resistance

AMSTI KitSecond Grade

STANDARDP4 – Describe observable effects of forces, including

buoyancy, gravity, and magnetism. Example: gravity – apple falling from a tree.

• Butterfly/Fulcrum/beam/balance ____ – gravity pulls the objects down until you find the center of gravity (balance point)

• Mobiles – must find the center of gravity

Bird Fun

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Space Needle

Center of Gravity

Twin Towers

Center of Gravity - Buoy

Center of Gravity - Below the ground

Thank you