Challenge:
Using only the material provided, design an experiment that demonstrates the gravity fact.
Gravity Fact: Free hanging objects are pulled down (toward Earth” center). This is true regardless of the angle the of the support the hanging object is attached to.
Materials: 12-inch piece of string, paper clip, pencil
Teacher Tips
Kids should work in groups, but each child should have his or her own set of materials. Kids can experiment separately, but make a group decision about the experiment that best demonstrates the Gravity Fact.
TIP: In advance, using index cards, prepare clues for groups having problems. Each clue card should be folded so that the clue diagram is not visible. When a group opens the card, they have to interpret the diagram.
Tip: Example diagrams are shown.
Clue #1: Attach one end of the string to the center of the pencil.
Clue #2 Hold the pencil in a horizontal direction and allow the paper clip to hang freely.
Clue #3 Hold the pencil at an angle and allow the string to hang freely.
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