TEXT: Gravity
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Why do all objects fall back to Earth?
Why do all objects fall back to Earth?
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How do scientists detect more distant planets outside of our solar system?
How do scientists detect more distant planets outside of our solar system?
Click the link to watch the 4-minute video and learn what gravity is and how it works.
How are weight and mass different?
Why is the gravitational pull between Earth and the Moon stronger than Earth and Pluto?
Why do all objects fall back to Earth?
How do scientists detect more distant planets outside of our solar system?
What would happen if you threw a 2kg (kilogram) backpack of rocks and a 4kg backpack of rocks off a tall building?
It seems like backpack of rocks with greater mass should get to the ground faster. However, there is more to consider when gravity pulls at falling objects.
Gravity is the force that pulls objects (backpacks) toward the center of another object (Earth). The force of gravity increases for greater mass, but the greater mass also requires more force to pull it.
A backpack that is 4 kg has two times the mass as the backpack that is 2 kg. But, the force of gravity is twice as strong on the 4 kg backpack than the 2 kg backpack. So, they reach the ground at the same time.
What is the relationship between gravity and mass?
As you watch the video, think about traveling down a hill on your bike or skateboard.
How does friction affect acceleration here on Earth?
Click the link to explore gravity as one of the fundamental forces of the universe.
What effect can be observed because of the gravitational pull between Earth and the Moon?