Understanding Gravity: Why Things Fall
Have you ever dropped something and wondered why it always falls down instead of floating away? That’s because of gravity!
What is Gravity?
Gravity is the force that pulls everything toward the center of the Earth. It’s why you don’t float away when you jump, and why the Moon orbits around Earth instead of flying off into space.
How Did Newton Discover Gravity?
In the 1600s, Isaac Newton saw an apple fall from a tree and wondered why it didn’t fall sideways or float. He realized that Earth must be pulling objects toward it, and that’s how he discovered gravity!
How Does Gravity Work?
- Bigger Objects Have More Gravity – The bigger an object, the stronger its gravitational pull. That’s why Earth’s gravity is stronger than the Moon’s.
- Gravity Keeps Planets in Orbit – The Sun’s gravity pulls the planets around it, just like Earth’s gravity keeps the Moon in orbit.
Gravity in Space
- Astronauts Float – There is still gravity in space, but astronauts float because they’re constantly falling toward Earth while moving sideways!
- Black Holes Have Extreme Gravity – Their pull is so strong that even light can’t escape!
Everyday Effects of Gravity
- Jumping vs. Falling – You can jump up, but gravity always pulls you back down.
- Tides in the Ocean – The Moon’s gravity pulls on Earth’s water, creating tides.
Keep Exploring!
Want to learn about how energy works? Read our next article: “The Basics of Kinetic and Potential Energy” to discover how energy powers everything around us!
For more in-depth physics concepts, visit PhysicsSensei.com and explore NASA’s resources on gravity here!