3.5.17

Gravity in Space

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Gravity in Space

Gravity is what keeps astronomical bodies in orbit. Without a gravitational force, we would float off into space - as would planets and moons.

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The Earth and the Moon

  • Larger masses will increase the gravitational force.
  • Objects that are closer will have larger gravitational forces.
  • The Moon is a natural satellite and orbits the Earth.
  • It takes about 28 days for the Moon to complete one orbit of the Earth.
  • The Earth’s gravitational pull keeps the Moon in orbit.
  • The Moon’s gravitational pull is weaker than the Earth’s pull but is strong enough to cause tides.
    • The Moon is getting further away from the Earth by about 3cm per year.
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The Earth and the Sun

  • The Sun weighs over 300,000 times the weight of the Earth.
  • The Sun is our nearest star.
  • The Sun’s gravitational pull keeps the Earth in orbit.
  • It takes about 365 days for the Earth to orbit the Sun.

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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