Have you noticed that when you throw a ball up, it always comes back down? Something pulls it down. That pulling force is called gravity.
What is gravity?
Gravity is a force that pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth. It pulls everything down, so things fall to the ground and do not float away. We cannot see gravity, but we can feel it every time we lift a heavy bag or climb the stairs.
Key idea
The Earth's gravity is a pulling force that pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth.
What gravity does for us
- It keeps us and everything on the ground.
- It makes objects fall when we drop them.
- It gives objects weight - heavier objects are pulled harder.
- It keeps water in rivers flowing downhill.
Example
When you drop a pencil, gravity pulls it straight down to the floor. When you jump, gravity brings you back down. Rain also falls because gravity pulls the drops down from the clouds.
Remember
- Gravity always pulls objects downwards, towards the Earth.
- Without gravity, everything would float away into the air.