Fall (motion) facts for kids

A fall is when something moves downwards. This usually happens because of gravity. For example, if you drop a ball, it falls to the ground. If a book slides off a table, it falls to the floor.

What Does Falling Mean?

When something falls, it moves to a place where it has less "potential energy." Think of potential energy as stored energy. This stored energy can come from different forces. These include gravity, electric forces, or magnetic forces.

Gravity and Falling

On Earth, when we say something falls "down," we usually mean it moves towards the center of our planet. This is because of Earth's gravity. But the idea of "down" changes when you leave Earth.

• In space, an object might fall towards the Earth or the Moon. It depends on which one pulls it more.
• In other parts of the universe, things might fall towards the Sun or even a giant planet like Jupiter.
• Sometimes, objects can even fall towards a specific point in space between stars and planets.

Other Forces That Make Things Fall

Falling isn't always about gravity. Other forces can make things "fall" too.

• Imagine rubbing a balloon on your hair. It gets an electric charge. If you hold it near the ceiling, it might "fall up" and stick to the ceiling! This happens because of electric forces, not gravity.
• Just like masses fall in a gravitational field, electrically charged objects will "fall" to a place where they have less electric potential energy.
• Magnetic objects will also "fall" in a magnetic field. They move to a place where they have less magnetic potential energy.

People and Falls

Falling is a very common reason why people get hurt. It might even be the most common reason! This is especially true for older people, people with balance problems, and those who play sports.

Falls and Older People

As people get older, they can become less steady on their feet. If they fall, they are more likely to get serious injuries. For example, they might break a hip. This is because their bones can become more fragile.

Falls in Sports and Activities

People are more likely to fall during sports and other fun activities. This includes things like bicycling or skateboarding.

• Some bicyclists and skateboarders wear special protective clothing. This helps protect their body if they fall.
• Common protective gear includes a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. These help prevent serious injuries.