5-PS2-1: Gravity Pulls Objects Down
Also called NGSS 5-PS2-1 · Topic: Space Systems: Stars and the Solar System · Physical Science
The Official Wording
Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
Clarification statement: “Down” is a local description of the direction that points toward the center of the spherical Earth.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include mathematical representation of gravitational force.
NGSS Lead States, 2013 · Read it on nextgenscience.org · checked October 15, 2026
What 5-PS2-1 Means in Plain English
Fifth graders build an argument, backed by evidence, that Earth's gravity pulls everything toward the planet's center. They drop objects, watch a weight on a string, and use a globe to show that people everywhere on Earth feel gravity pulling toward the middle of the planet.
Students describe the direction of the pull, not its strength, so no formulas or calculations are needed. This builds on how forces change motion (3-PS2-1) and leads to how mass and distance affect gravity in middle school (MS-PS2-4).
5-PS2-1 I Can Statements
- I can show that dropped objects fall straight down.
- I can explain that down means toward the center of Earth.
- I can use evidence to support an argument about gravity.
5-PS2-1 Worked Example
A drop test and a globe model a class can run with string, a metal washer and some clay.
Does gravity pull objects straight down, and what does down mean for people on the other side of Earth?
Set It Up: A metal washer tied to a string, a tennis ball, a crumpled sheet of paper, a classroom globe, small clay figures and paper arrows.
- Hold the string still so the washer hangs freely.The string hangs straight down, like a plumb line
- Drop the ball and the paper beside the string from shoulder height.Both fall along the string's line
- Repeat the drop in three spots around the room and once outside.Same straight-down path every time
- Stick a clay figure on the globe at your town, in Australia and in Brazil, and tape a paper arrow by each one pointing to its feet.Every arrow aims at the globe's center
- Compare the arrows with what the washer showed.Down points to Earth's middle everywhere
Every object fell straight down along the string, and on the globe each person's down pointed toward the center of Earth.
Why it works: Gravity is a pull between Earth and every object that always points toward Earth's center, so down is a different direction in space for each place on the round planet.
Common Mistakes with 5-PS2-1
Thinking people on the far side fall off
“People on the bottom of the globe would fall into space.”
Try this: There is no bottom of Earth in space. Gravity pulls everyone toward the center, so each person's feet stay on the ground.
Thinking heavy things always fall faster
“The ball landed first, so heavy things fall faster.”
Try this: Air slows light, spread-out objects. Crumple the paper tightly and it lands almost with the ball, showing the air was the difference.
Thinking gravity stops when things stop
“Gravity stops once the book is sitting on the table.”
Try this: Gravity pulls on the book all the time. The table pushes up just as hard, so the book stays still.
Where 5-PS2-1 Fits
Practice 5-PS2-1
Quick Check
- A child in Australia drops a ball. Which way does it fall?
- What does a washer tied to a string show?
- Is a book on a shelf being pulled by gravity?