Gravity Patterns Worksheet Grade 4 Science • TEKS 4.7.A
Gravity Detective Worksheet
Name:
Date: Class:
Key Rule: Gravity is an invisible pulling force that pulls objects straight down toward the center of Earth. It acts at a distance without needing physical contact.
Spot Where Gravity is Acting
1. Draw a downward arrow (↓) in each picture • 2. Answer the questions
1. Apple Falling from Tree Scene A
Draw Arrow: ⬇ here
Where do you see gravity acting?
What object is being pulled downward?
Force Type:
Contact At a Distance
2. Mountain Waterfall Scene B
Draw Arrow: ⬇ here
Where do you see gravity acting?
What object is being pulled downward?
Force Type:
Contact At a Distance
3. Skydiver Falling in Air Scene C
Draw Arrow: ⬇ here
Where do you see gravity acting?
What object is being pulled downward?
Force Type:
Contact At a Distance
4. Basketball Shot Arc Scene D
Draw Arrow: ⬇ here
Where do you see gravity acting?
What object is being pulled downward?
Force Type:
Contact At a Distance
PART 2
Gravity Pattern Conclusion
Pattern Question: In all 4 pictures, what consistent pattern do you observe about the direction gravity pulls objects on Earth? Does gravity require objects to be touching something before it starts pulling them?
TEKS 4.7.A • Patterns of Gravity in Contact & at a Distance Single-Page Worksheet
Gravity Patterns Answer Key Grade 4 Science • TEKS 4.7.A
Gravity Detective Worksheet
TEACHER ANSWER KEY
Exemplar Responses & Direction Arrows
Key Rule: Gravity pulls objects straight down toward Earth's center. It acts at a distance without needing physical contact.
1. Apple Falling from Tree Scene A
GRAVITY (↓)
Where: Apple leaves the branch and falls through the air.
Object: The apple (pulled straight downward).
Force:
[ ] Contact [✓] At a Distance
2. Mountain Waterfall Scene B
GRAVITY (↓)
Where: Water flows over the rock cliff and plunges downward.
Object: The water (droplets pulled toward pool).
Force:
[ ] Contact [✓] At a Distance
3. Skydiver Falling in Air Scene C
GRAVITY (↓)
Where: Skydiver falls freely through the atmosphere.
Object: The skydiver (person's body).
Force:
[ ] Contact [✓] At a Distance
4. Basketball Shot Arc Scene D
GRAVITY (↓)
Where: The ball stops rising and curves back down toward rim.
Object: The basketball.
Force:
[ ] Contact [✓] At a Distance
PART 2
Gravity Pattern Conclusion (Exemplar Student Response)
Prompt: What pattern do you observe about the direction of gravity? Does it require physical contact to act?
Sample Response: The consistent pattern is that gravity always pulls objects straight down toward the center of Earth . Gravity does not require physical contact to pull objects; it is an at-a-distance force that acts through the air (on falling apples, cascading water, skydivers, and basketballs) even when nothing touches them.
Teaching Note (Misconception Alert): Students frequently assume gravity only turns on when an object begins falling. Emphasize that gravity acts constantly on Earth—even when an object is supported, at rest, or briefly moving upward (like the shot basketball).
TEKS 4.7.A • Patterns of Gravity • Teacher Answer Key Single-Page Reference
Gravity Check Assignment Grade 4 Science • TEKS 4.7.A
Spot the Gravity: Picture Check
Name:
Date: Score: / 6
Directions: Look at each picture showing real-world gravity. Identify where or how gravity is happening, then fill in the bubble next to the best answer.
1. Falling Acorn Scene A
Where is gravity acting in this picture?
A) Pushing leaves upward to the sun
B) Pulling the acorn straight down to the ground
C) Blowing the branch from side to side
D) Holding the acorn frozen in mid-air
2. Playground Slide Scene B
How does gravity affect the child on the slide?
A) It pulls the child downward to the ground
B) It pushes the child backward up the ladder
C) It lifts the child into the air above the slide
D) It makes the child hover in one spot
3. Rain from Clouds Scene C
Where do you see evidence of gravity happening?
A) Water evaporating into invisible vapor
B) Clouds drifting sideways across the sky
C) Raindrops being pulled downward to Earth
D) Sunlight reflecting off the cloud tops
4. Descending Skydiver Scene D
What is gravity doing to the skydiver?
A) Pulling the skydiver toward Earth at a distance
B) Pushing the skydiver up into outer space
C) Freezing the skydiver still in the air
D) Pulling the skydiver sideways toward clouds
5. Cliff Waterfall Scene E
Where is gravity acting on the water?
A) Freezing water into solid ice at the top
B) Pulling flowing water downward into the pool
C) Pushing water backward up the river
D) Lifting river mist high into the sky
6. Basketball Arc Scene F
Why does the basketball curve back down to the hoop?
A) Air pushes the basketball up to the ceiling
B) The basketball loses energy and vanishes
C) Gravity pulls the basketball downward to Earth
D) Magnets inside the rim pull the leather
Key Pattern: Across all 6 pictures, gravity always pulls downward toward Earth without physical contact!
6 Points Total
TEKS 4.7.A • Patterns of Gravity • Illustrated Multiple Choice Single-Page Assignment
Gravity Check Answer Key Grade 4 Science • TEKS 4.7.A
Spot the Gravity: Picture Check
TEACHER ANSWER KEY
Quick-Scan Key & Explanations
Quick Key:
1: B 2: A 3: C 4: A 5: B 6: C
1 pt each (6 pts total)
1. Falling Acorn Correct: B
Where is gravity acting in this picture?
A) Pushing leaves upward to the sun
B) Pulling the acorn straight down to the ground ✓
C) Blowing the branch from side to side
D) Holding the acorn frozen in mid-air
Rationale: Gravity pulls detached objects toward Earth at a distance.
2. Playground Slide Correct: A
How does gravity affect the child on the slide?
A) It pulls the child downward to the ground ✓
B) It pushes the child backward up the ladder
C) It lifts the child into the air above the slide
D) It makes the child hover in one spot
Rationale: Downward gravitational pull causes sliding motion toward the ground.
3. Rain from Clouds Correct: C
Where do you see evidence of gravity happening?
A) Water evaporating into invisible vapor
B) Clouds drifting sideways across the sky
C) Raindrops being pulled downward to Earth ✓
D) Sunlight reflecting off the cloud tops
Rationale: Condensed precipitation falling straight to Earth demonstrates gravity.
4. Descending Skydiver Correct: A
What is gravity doing to the skydiver?
A) Pulling the skydiver toward Earth at a distance ✓
B) Pushing the skydiver up into outer space
C) Freezing the skydiver still in the air
D) Pulling the skydiver sideways toward clouds
Rationale: Gravity acts across empty atmospheric distance without touching.
5. Cliff Waterfall Correct: B
Where is gravity acting on the water?
A) Freezing water into solid ice at the top
B) Pulling flowing water downward into the pool ✓
C) Pushing water backward up the river
D) Lifting river mist high into the sky
Rationale: Water flows and falls from high elevation to low due to gravity.
6. Basketball Arc Correct: C
Why does the basketball curve back down to the hoop?
A) Air pushes the basketball up to the ceiling
B) The basketball loses energy and vanishes
C) Gravity pulls the basketball downward to Earth ✓
D) Magnets inside the rim pull the leather
Rationale: Downward gravity continuously decelerates upward projectile motion.
Formative Assessment Guidance:
Questions 1, 3, 5: Falling objects (liquid & solid) show downward pull toward Earth.
Questions 2, 6: Arcs and slides show gravity continuously acting on moving objects.
Question 4: Demonstrates that gravity acts across a distance without touching.
TEKS 4.7.A • Patterns of Gravity • Illustrated Multiple Choice Answer Key Single-Page Reference
Gravity Challenge Assignment Grade 4 Science • TEKS 4.7.A
Gravity Challenge Assignment
Name:
Date: Class:
Instructions: Apply what you know about the patterns of gravity as an at-a-distance force. Answer each of the 6 investigation questions in complete scientific sentences.
1. Invisible Reach Non-Contact Force
Earth can pull an apple from a tree before the apple touches the ground. Why do scientists classify gravity as an "at-a-distance" force?
2. The Ball Toss Pattern Motion Pattern
When you toss a tennis ball straight up, gravity pulls on it the entire time. What pattern happens to the ball's speed as it rises, stops at the peak, and falls back down?
3. Planning a Fair Drop Test Investigation
Your science team wants to test how gravity pulls a heavy wooden block versus a light foam block. Name two things you must keep exactly the same for a fair test:
A:
B:
4. Earth's Gravity Pattern Directional Pattern
People and oceans stay firmly on the ground all around our round planet. In what direction does gravity always pull objects on Earth?
5. The Astronaut Experiment Evidence & Claim
An astronaut dropped a heavy hammer and a light feather in an airless vacuum, and they hit the ground at the exact same time. What does this prove about gravity?
6. What If Gravity Turned Off? Real-World Impact
If Earth's gravity suddenly stopped pulling for 10 seconds, describe two specific things that would happen to objects sitting on your classroom desk:
1:
2:
Science Checklist: Did you use evidence and scientific vocabulary (gravity, downward, at-a-distance, center of Earth)?
Checked
TEKS 4.7.A • Patterns of Gravity • Investigative Challenge Single-Page Assignment
Gravity Challenge Answer Key Grade 4 Science • TEKS 4.7.A
Gravity Challenge Assignment
TEACHER ANSWER KEY
Exemplars & Scoring Rubric
Grading Guide: Look for accurate scientific vocabulary (downward, at a distance, Earth's center, fair test) and evidence-based reasoning.
1. Invisible Reach Concept
Why is gravity classified as an "at-a-distance" force?
Exemplar Answer: Gravity does not require physical touching (contact) to pull on an object. It can exert a pulling force through the empty air across a distance.
Accept: "Pulls without touching" or "non-contact force acting through air."
2. The Ball Toss Pattern Pattern
What pattern happens to speed and direction during a vertical toss?
Exemplar Answer: As it rises, downward gravity slows it down until it stops for a split second at its peak. Then gravity accelerates it back downward toward Earth.
Key points: Slows down rising, stops at peak, speeds up falling down.
3. Planning a Fair Drop Test Investigation
Name two constants needed for a fair drop test:
A: Release both blocks from the exact same height at the exact same instant.
B: Drop them gently without pushing, throwing, or spinning them.
Also accept: same air conditions (indoors/no fan) or same release method.
4. Earth's Gravity Pattern Direction
In what direction does gravity always pull objects on Earth?
Exemplar Answer: Gravity ALWAYS pulls straight inward toward the center of Earth. Because Earth is round, "down" means toward Earth's core from every continent and ocean.
Must identify: Downward / toward the center of Earth.
5. The Astronaut Experiment Evidence
What does the hammer and feather hitting at the same time prove?
Exemplar Answer: It proves that gravity pulls all objects at the same rate regardless of how heavy or light they are. (On Earth, air resistance slows the feather down, not weaker gravity).
Accept: "Weight does not change gravity's downward acceleration in a vacuum."
6. What If Gravity Turned Off? Impact
Describe two specific things that would happen to objects on a desk:
1: Pencils, books, and papers would lift off the desk and float into the air.
2: Water inside an open water bottle would drift out in floating liquid spheres.
Accept any realistic physical consequence of zero downward gravitational pull.
Scoring Rubric (2 Points per Question • 12 Points Total):
2 Points: Accurate science claim + complete reasoning or evidence.
1 Point: Partial answer (e.g. mentions direction but omits explanation).
0 Points: Inaccurate or scientifically incorrect response.
TEKS 4.7.A • Patterns of Gravity • Investigative Challenge Answer Key Single-Page Reference
