Gravity

Gravity is the force of attraction between two objects with mass. It is one of the fundamental forces in the universe and is responsible for keeping the planets in orbit around the sun and for keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground.

Key Concepts

1. Force of Attraction: Gravity is the force that pulls objects towards each other. The strength of the gravitational force depends on the masses of the objects and the distance between them.
2. Mass: The amount of matter in an object. The greater the mass, the stronger the gravitational force it exerts.
3. Weight: The force of gravity acting on an object's mass. Weight is the product of an object's mass and the acceleration due to gravity.
4. Acceleration due to Gravity: The acceleration an object experiences when falling freely in a gravitational field. On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.81 m/s².
5. Orbit: The curved path of an object around a celestial body under the influence of gravity.

Study Guide

• What is gravity and what causes it?
• How does the mass of an object affect the gravitational force it experiences?
• What is the difference between mass and weight?
• What is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth?
• How does gravity keep the planets in orbit around the sun?

Understanding the concept of gravity is essential for comprehending various phenomena in physics and astronomy, including planetary motion, the behavior of objects in free fall, and the structure of the universe.

[Gravity] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Force and motionScience • First Grade