Who was Isaac Newton?
1. Discoveries which change the world are sometimes made
entirely by chance. This happened to Isaac Newton. Isaac
Newton was a scientist living and working in England nearly
300 years ago. The story says that Isaac Newton was sitting
under an apple tree, when he saw an apple fall from it. He
realised that something must be pulling the apple down from
the tree. He decided that it must be an invisible force. He
called this force gravity and used his ideas, based on an
apple, to develop ideas about the universe and the forces that
keep the planets and moons in their places. His discoveries
were so important he received a knighthood and is
remembered in history as Sir Isaac Newton.
After reading the paragraph above, answer the following questions. Try to answer in
full sentences.
1. What type of tree was Isaac Newton sitting under when he made his
discoveries?
2. Which fruit helped Isaac Newton to make his discoveries?
3. How long ago was Isaac Newton working on his scientific discoveries?
4. What did Isaac Newton decide was happening to the fruit that fell from the
tree?
5. What did Isaac Newton call his newly discovered invisible force?
6. Do you think Isaac Newton’s discoveries were important? Why?