The Gravity of Émilie du Châtelet

The Gravity of Émilie du Châtelet

Emilie du Chatelet sits at a table leaning on one hand with the other hand holding a compass for measuring. An open book with diagrams on its pages rests in front of her. She is wearing an expensive-looking blue and gold 18th century gown and a grey powdered wig. Her skin is very light apart from some rouge on her cheeks.

This lesson focuses on the life and work of Gabrielle-Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, Marquise du Châtelet, more commonly known as Émilie du Châtelet. Students will learn about gravity, understanding that gravity pulls objects down, and that it pulls heavier objects down with more force than lighter objects. Students will repeat a simpler version of du Châtelet’s own experiment, dropping small objects of different sizes into wet sand from different heights. They will predict the result of the experiment, carry it out, and explore to see how gravity affects these objects.

Supplemental Materials
Grade level(s)
1-3
4-5
Guide subjects
History
Physics
Minority Group(s)
Women
In-class time
40-45 minutes
Prep time
7-10 minutes
Technology Requirements
Audio/Video required
Common Core Standards
Speaking & Listening
Science & Technical Subjects
Next Generation Science Standards
Physical sciences
Matter and Its Interactions
Motion and Stability: Forces and Interaction
Last revised