Science·Space Exploration·conceptual
Gravity Pulls Things Down
Understand gravity as a force that pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth, that 'down' means towards Earth’s centre regardless of where you stand on the sphere, and that gravity keeps the Moon orbiting Earth and planets orbiting the Sun
Suggested ages 9–11
Learning journey
Your child is discovering the wonders of space — learning about stars, planets, and galaxies, understanding how our ideas about the solar system have changed over time, and exploring humanity's journey into space.
Evidence of understanding
- Define gravity as a pulling force that attracts objects towards the centre of the Earth
- Explain that 'down' points towards Earth's centre, so people on opposite sides of the globe both feel pulled 'down'
- State that gravity keeps the Moon orbiting Earth and planets orbiting the Sun
Assessment prompt
Can Gravity Pulls Things Down explain why things fall 'down' and that gravity is the same force keeping the Moon going around the Earth?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.