Questions: What Is Gravity?

Question 1

Why does a ball fall to the ground when you let go of it?

• A. Because air pushes it down
• B. Because gravity pulls it toward Earth
• C. Because the ball is heavy
• D. Because the ground attracts only round objects

Answer: (B)

Gravity is the force that pulls all objects toward the center of the Earth, which is why the ball falls.

Question 2

Gravity mainly exists on Earth.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Every object with mass has gravity. The Moon, the Sun, and all the other planets have gravity too.

Question 3

What direction does gravity pull things on Earth?

Model answer: Gravity pulls things down, toward the center of the Earth.

Earth's gravity always pulls objects toward its center, which we experience as the downward direction.