Gravity

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that governs the motion of objects in the universe. It is the force of attraction between all masses in the universe. Gravity is what keeps the planets in orbit around the sun, and what causes objects to fall to the ground when dropped.

Key Concepts

• Force of Attraction: Gravity is a force of attraction that pulls objects with mass towards one another.
• Acceleration: All objects near the Earth's surface experience a constant acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.81 m/s².
• Mass and Distance: The force of gravity between two objects depends on their masses and the distance between them.
• Universal Law of Gravitation: Sir Isaac Newton formulated the universal law of gravitation, which describes the gravitational force between two objects.

Study Guide

1. Understanding Gravity

Study the concept of gravity as a force of attraction between masses, and how it affects the motion of objects.

2. Acceleration due to Gravity

Learn about the acceleration due to gravity and how it varies with the mass and distance from the center of the Earth.

3. Gravitational Force Equation

Understand the universal law of gravitation and be able to apply the gravitational force equation to calculate the force between two objects.

4. Effects of Gravity

Explore the effects of gravity on different scales, from the motion of planets in the solar system to the free fall of objects on Earth.

5. Historical Perspectives

Research the historical development of the understanding of gravity, from early observations to Newton's formulation of the universal law of gravitation.

[Gravity] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Force and motionScience • First Grade