Sun
This is the name of the star that gives Earth light and heat.
Sun
True or False: The Sun is a star.
True
What is gravity?
Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other (or toward Earth).
True or False: Pushing something down harder makes gravity disappear.
False
Name two ways people use the Sun’s radiant energy to help everyday life or save energy.
solar panels make electricity, solar water heaters warm water, drying clothes outside, or using sunlight to warm greenhouses.
What does the Sun do that helps plants grow and gives us daylight? (Two-word answer: emits ___)
Emits energy (or emits light/heat).
Name two ways stars can be different from one another. (Give two short answers.)
Size (smaller or larger), brightness (brighter or dimmer), color, or temperature
What happens to a ball when you let go of it and it falls to the ground?
The ball falls to the ground because gravity pulls it down.
Name one way humans can momentarily overcome gravity (something people do that causes them to lift off the ground).
Jumping, using a trampoline, flying in an airplane, or riding a rocket.
Name two places where you can feel gravity working right now.
Examples: standing on the floor, feeling your desk on a table, water in a glass., sitting in your desk
Why does the Sun look larger and brighter than other stars when we see it from Earth?
Because it is the closest star to Earth.
Why do most stars look like tiny points of light when we look at them from Earth?
Because they are so far away they look like points of light.
Name one thing on Earth that gravity helps keep in place.
Examples: people, trees, buildings stay on the ground because of gravity.
Does a pencil rolling off the desk overcome gravity?
False
Imagine you are standing on a very tall ladder and you let go of a small rock. Describe what will happen to the rock and why, using the word gravity.
The rock will fall to the ground because gravity pulls it down toward Earth.
Give one example of how the Sun’s radiant energy can warm something on Earth.
Example: Sun warms your skin, heats pavement, or warms water in a bottle, makes things hot or warm
If a star is larger than another star but much farther away, it might look dimmer. Explain why using words students understand.
because distance makes them appear dimmer even if they are larger; light spreads out and travels far.
If you jump up, gravity pulls you back down. Explain why you do not float into the sky.
Because Earth's gravity pulls you back down toward the ground.
Explain why a rocket can lift off even though gravity pulls it down.
A rocket pushes exhaust downward which pushes the rocket upward with enough force to overcome gravity.
If you drop a toy car and a toy balloon (filled with air) at the same time, which one will usually hit the floor first on Earth? Why?
The toy car will usually hit first because the balloon is slowed by air resistance; gravity pulls both down but air affects the balloon more.
Explain what happens to the heat of an object (for example, a rock) when the Sun goes behind clouds or at night.
The object cools down when the Sun is not present or at night because it stops gaining radiant heat and loses heat to the air.
Describe one way scientists can tell that stars are different besides how bright they look.
By measuring their color, temperature, size, or brightness with telescopes.
Give a short example of how gravity works in space
The Moon stays near Earth because Earth's gravity pulls on it.
Give an example from nature (not machines) where an animal or living thing overcomes gravity. Explain how it does this in one or two sentences.
Ex.Birds fly by flapping wings which push air downward so the bird moves upward, overcoming gravity.
What would happen to Earth if the Sun suddenly gave off much less radiant energy for a long time? Describe one likely change.
Earth would get much colder, weather would change, and plants and animals could struggle to survive.