Gravity — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A heavy rock always falls much faster than a light rock through empty space.
Corrected: A heavy rock and a light rock fall at the same rate through empty space.
Grade 5 science shows that without air, gravity makes objects fall at the same rate.
2. Fix the sentence:
A feather falls slowly because gravity does not pull on feathers at all.
Corrected: A feather falls slowly because air resistance pushes up against the feather.
Grade 5 students learn air resistance, not missing gravity, slows light objects in air.
3. Fix the sentence:
Free fall happens when an object is held still in your hand near the ground.
Corrected: Free fall happens when gravity is the only force pulling an object as it drops.
Grade 5 science defines free fall as motion under gravity alone, with no support.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. When you drop a book, it speeds up as it falls because of gravity.
Grade 5 students recognize gravity as the cause of acceleration during a fall.
2. The push from air that slows a falling feather is called air resistance.
Grade 5 science names this upward push on falling objects air resistance.
3. Inside a vacuum tube, a feather and a coin reach the floor at the same time.
Grade 5 learners see that without air, all dropped objects land together.
4. An object that is falling with only gravity acting on it is in free fall.
Grade 5 students label motion under gravity alone as free fall.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. If you drop a feather and a rock from the same height in your classroom, which lands first and why?
Sample answer: The rock lands first because air resistance pushes up on the feather more than on the rock, so the feather falls more slowly even though gravity pulls on both objects.
Grade 5 students connect surface and air resistance to slower falling, while gravity still acts on both.
2. Why does a parachute help a skydiver land safely when gravity is still pulling on them?
Sample answer: A parachute spreads out and catches a lot of air, which creates a strong air resistance force pushing up; this upward push slows the skydiver so gravity no longer pulls them down too fast.
Grade 5 science explains parachutes by balancing gravity with strong air resistance.