Gravity experiments may help explain this invisible force while entertaining onlookers.
The theory of gravity was first developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666 after he witnessed an apple falling to the ground. This theory sparked the interest of scientists throughout the world, and was further explored by the famed scientist Albert Einstein with his theory of relativity. Introducing the theory of gravity to children may be done through hands-on experiments that will help answer questions while enhancing a child's interest of the scientific world.
Newton Apple
Sir Isaac Newton first developed his theory of gravitation after witnessing an apple falling from a tree. To perform this experiment, purchase at least three apples and hand out a piece of paper and pencil to each child. Drop the apple at various heights, such as tow feet, five feet and 10 feet. Instruct the children to count the seconds it takes for the apple to reach the ground. Have each child write down the height the apple was dropped from, and the time it took the apple to reach the ground. After performing this experiment, begin a lesson plan about gravity and its properties.
Feather vs. Brick
Gather a standard feather and a house brick or large rock. Have one child hold the feature and one child hold the heavier item five feet above the ground. Make sure both items are the same height above the floor. Ask the children which item they think will hit the ground first, and then instruct the two children to release the items. Ask the children why they think the heavier item hit the ground first. After a short discussion, inform the children the reason the feather fell slowly is due to air resistance. Explain that if this experiment was performed in a vacuum, which is an area where there is no air, the brick and feather would hit the ground simultaneously.
Anti-Gravity Water
When discussing the theory of gravity and its effects on Earth, creating an anti-gravity experiment teaches children how gravity affects certain substances. To perform this activity, place a standard handkerchief over a water glass and pour water over the handkerchief until it is three-quarters full. Gather the handkerchief fabric tightly around the sides of the glass until the fabric is taut across the top of the glass. Holding the handkerchief tightly, place the other hand across the top of the glass. Slowly turn the glass upside down, and carefully remove your hand from the top of the glass. After doing so, the water will not leak through the handkerchief, even though the glass was filled by passing through the fabric. Inform the children the reason this occurs is not because gravity failed, but because the water molecules bonded together to create surface tension since the handkerchief holes were too small for the liquid to pass.
Spinning Bucket
Ask the children if they think water would stay in a bucket if it was turned upside down, and after hearing their answers, ask them why. One would think gravity would pull the water out of a bucket, but with this experiment children will learn how inertia affects the downward pull of gravity. To perform this experiment, fill a standard bucket with handles halfway with water. Grab the bucket tightly by the handles and in a swift motion swing the bucket up from the ground to the sky, and turn your arm so the bucket may swing in a full circle. Make sure you use the same amount of speed throughout the circle movement. Explain to the children that as the bucket spins toward the sky, the water movement caused by inertia forces the water to stay in the bucket.
Related posts
Teach kids the basics about oil and water with simple experiments.Oil and water make excellent subjects for simple science experiments because they are accessible and informative. All you need is...
Science lessons involving the moon are exciting for children.People have always looked into the night sky with wonder at the luminous globe that is the moon. Since Neil Armstrong took the first sm...
Birds are especially threatened by oil spills.When oil rushes into a body of water, birds and other animals can be caught in the dangerous liquid. A simple experiment can illustrate to students ju...
Use a tea kettle to examine evaporation.Science is all around us, from leaves that change colors to boats floating in water. Science topics are virtually limitless. When teaching children science,...
Teach your child to cope with frustration in a postive manner.Children get angry and frustrated just like adults. Often children are taught that being angry at an adult is disrespectful and inappr...
