Gravity & Falling Objects for Kids
Drop a feather, a coin, and a bowling ball. Watch how gravity always pulls everything down, while air resistance changes how fast things fall.
Gravity Science Reference
Gravity
Gravity is an invisible force that pulls all objects toward the center of the Earth. It always points straight down. No matter how heavy or light something is, gravity pulls it in the same direction.
Air Resistance
Air resistance is the force of air pushing back against a falling object. Objects with large flat surfaces (like a feather or open parachute) catch more air and fall more slowly. Small, heavy objects cut through the air quickly and fall faster.
Mass and Weight
Heavier objects have more gravity pulling them down. When two objects have the same shape and size, the heavier one falls faster because gravity pulls it harder relative to the air resistance it faces.
Vacuum Drop
Without air, a feather and a bowling ball fall at exactly the same speed. This is called free fall. On the Moon (which has almost no air), astronauts have shown that a feather and a hammer land at the same time when dropped together.