Solar System Showdown

What is gravity?

• A type of weather system

• An invisible force that pulls objects towards each other

• A kind of light wave

• The feeling of being grounded

Considering the concept of gravity, why do the planets orbit the Sun in nearly circular paths instead of wildly careening around the solar system?

• The Sun has a sticky surface that attracts the planets.

• Think about spinning a ball on a string. If you let go of the string too quickly, the ball flies off in a straight line. But if you let go gradually, the ball keeps some of its circular motion. When our solar system formed, swirling dust and gas slowed down as it clumped together to form planets. The leftover motion from this spin, combined with the Sun's gravity pulling them inwards, keeps the planets in their nearly circular orbits.

• The planets are all best friends and want to stay close together.

• The planets are afraid of the empty space beyond the Sun's reach.

Does gravity only affect the Sun and planets? Explain your answer.

• Yes, only the Sun and planets have enough gravity to matter.

• No, gravity affects everything in the universe! It pulls you down to the ground, keeps the Moon orbiting Earth, and even affects the way galaxies form. Everything with mass experiences gravity!

How does gravity help keep the planets moving around the Sun (without using playdough in your explanation)?

• The Sun throws giant invisible lassos at the planets.

• Gravity acts like an invisible string between the Sun and the planets. The Sun's pull keeps them from flying off in a straight line, while their own motion keeps them from falling directly into the Sun. This creates a balanced, nearly circular path.

• The planets are all attached to the Sun with giant invisible wires.

• The planets are scared of the Sun and try to stay away from it.

What force is acting on the cat at the end?

• Gravity

• Friction

• Momentum

What pulls a ball back to earth?

• Gas
• Gravity
• Friction
• Molecules

Object attract towards Earth due to ___________.

• Muscular Force

• Gravity

• Friction

• Magnetic Force

Why do astronauts feel weightless in space?

• Because there is no gravity in space.

• Because the space station is moving at the same speed as the Earth's rotation.

• Because they are in a constant state of free fall around the Earth, creating the sensation of weightlessness.

• Because they work out a lot before going to space.

What would happen if gravity suddenly stopped working on Earth?

• Everything would float away into space.

• People would be able to fly.

• The Earth would stop orbiting the Sun.

• Nothing would change.

How does the Moon's gravity affect the Earth?

• It causes the Earth to orbit the Moon.

• It has no effect on the Earth.

• It is responsible for the tides in the Earth's oceans.

• It makes the Earth spin on its axis.