3.2.7

Gravity

Test yourself

Gravity

All matter has a gravitational field. This produces a force that will attract other masses.

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Very weak force

  • Gravity is very weak compared to magnetism and electric forces.
  • We only feel gravitational forces when we are near a very massive object (e.g. the Earth).
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Size of force depends on mass

  • The gravitational force between two people will be much too small for them to feel.
  • But the gravitational force between people and the Earth is easy to feel because the Earth is so massive.
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Objects weigh less on the moon

  • The force between a person and the Moon is smaller than with the Earth, because the Moon has less mass than the Earth.
  • This is why objects weigh less on the Moon.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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