Things fall down — Physics, 4–6 years
Earth pulls objects towards the ground. This explains why a dropped ball falls, while a toy held in your hand stays up.
The ground pulls
If you let go of a block, it moves down to the ground. Earth is pulling it, even though you cannot see the pull. The same thing happens to a spoon, a leaf, or your feet when you jump: they come back down.
Why we need gravity
People noticed falling because dropped objects always went towards the ground instead of staying in the air. Earth’s pull keeps our feet, houses, and puddles on the ground. Without it, walking, sitting, and throwing would be very different.
Drop two balls
Hold a large soft ball and a small soft ball at the same height. Let go of both at the same time, without throwing either one. Watch them travel down to the floor. Both are pulled by Earth; their size does not make either one stay up.
Heavy does not mean first
A heavy object can seem as if it should fall first, so this is a sensible guess. But when two similar objects are dropped together, Earth pulls both down at once. Air can slow a wide paper sheet or a feather, which makes some falls look different.
Jumping and pouring
Gravity helps you stand on the floor after a jump and makes water leave a cup when you tip it. It also keeps rain falling from clouds and makes a ball return after you throw it up. These are everyday signs of Earth’s pull.
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