WHICH WAY IS UP?

by Gail Kay Haines ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1987

A first look at gravity, including a discussion of its properties and the contributions of Galileo, Newton and Einstein. Difficult concepts are presented in brief sentences which often provoke unanswered questions. For example, Galileo in measuring falling bodies rolled metal tubes down slanted boards to ""slow gravity down,"" but no explanation is given of how the board slows gravity. The author states that the earth's gravity keeps the moon from drifting into space, and adds, "". . .if the moon weren't moving around the earth, it would crash into it,"" He then indicates that the sun's gravity acts in the same way on the earth, but concludes that without the sun's gravity, the earth would drift off into space. The seeming contradiction is not discussed. Illustrations are sometimes at odds with the text: e.g., the text discusses a modern stopwatch, and the illustration shows a wristwatch that lacks a second hand. Not entirely successful in rendering the topic accessible to young readers, but will serve as an introduction. No index.

Pub Date: March 1, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1987

Categories: CHILDREN'S