Gravitational Force

The gravitational force is the force of attraction between all objects with mass. This force is responsible for the phenomenon of weight and is the reason why objects fall to the ground when dropped. Gravitational force is described by Isaac Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that every point mass in the universe attracts every other point mass with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

Key Concepts

Law of Universal Gravitation: This law states that the force of gravity between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
Acceleration due to Gravity: The acceleration experienced by an object in a gravitational field, usually denoted as g, is approximately 9.81 m/s² near the Earth's surface.
Gravitational Field: The region of space surrounding a body in which another body experiences a force of gravitational attraction.
Gravitational Potential Energy: The energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. It is directly proportional to the object's mass, the acceleration due to gravity, and the height of the object above a reference point.

Study Guide

What is the law of universal gravitation and how is it expressed mathematically?
What factors affect the strength of the gravitational force between two objects?
How does the acceleration due to gravity vary with altitude and depth?
Explain the concept of gravitational potential energy and how it relates to the gravitational force.
What are the real-life applications of gravitational force and its effects?

Understanding the concept of gravitational force is essential in various fields such as physics, astronomy, and engineering. Mastery of this topic can provide insights into the behavior of celestial bodies, the dynamics of planetary motion, and the design of structures on Earth and in space.

◂Earth Science Worksheets and Study Guides High School. The Rock Cycle

Vocabulary/Answer key

The Rock Cycle

Vocabulary/Answer key

The Rock Cycle

Vocabulary/Answer key

The Rock Cycle

The resources above cover the following skills:

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (NGSS)

Earth’s Systems

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (NGSS)

Earth’s Systems

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (NGSS)

Earth’s Systems

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (NGSS)

Earth’s Systems

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.