Grade 5
Gravity, Sun and stars, shadow patterns, day and night, and seasonal star patterns.
Describe gravity as a force pulling objects toward Earth.
Gravity is a force of attraction between objects with mass. Near Earth's surface, gravity pulls objects toward Earth's center.
Gravity helps keep planets in orbit around the Sun and moons in orbit around planets.
Compare the Sun with other stars.
The Sun is a star that gives Earth light and heat. Other stars are much farther away, so they look like tiny points of light.
A star's apparent brightness depends on how much light it gives off and how far away it is. The Sun appears very bright because it is close to Earth compared with other stars.
Use patterns of shadows, day and night, and stars.
As Earth rotates, the Sun appears to move across the sky. Shadows change length and direction during the day.
Day and night repeat because Earth rotates. Some stars and constellations are visible in different seasons because Earth orbits the Sun.