Gravity and Weight
Gravity is the natural pulling force between objects, and weight is how strongly Earth pulls on something. π
Brief Introduction
Gravity is like an invisible string that pulls everything in the universe toward each other. On Earth, this force is what keeps us on the ground and gives objects their weight. Just like magnets attract each other, every object in the universe attracts every other object - though we usually only notice Earth's gravity because it's so big! π§²
Main Explanation
Gravity vs Weight
Gravity is the force that pulls objects together, while weight is how strongly gravity pulls on a specific object. It's like having a rubber band between objects - the bigger the objects and the closer they are, the stronger the pull! π―
Weight Changes, Mass Doesn't
Your weight would be different on the Moon because gravity is weaker there, but your mass (how much stuff you're made of) stays the same. It's like being the same person but feeling lighter in a swimming pool! π
Gravity Depends on Size and Distance
Bigger objects have stronger gravity, and objects closer together feel a stronger pull. It's like standing near a campfire - the bigger the fire and the closer you are, the more warmth you feel! π₯
Examples
- When you jump on a trampoline, gravity is what brings you back down every time - you can't escape it! π¦
- A bowling ball and a feather fall at the same speed in a vacuum because gravity pulls on all objects equally (though air resistance usually makes the feather fall slower) π³
- An astronaut floating in the International Space Station still experiences gravity, but they're actually falling around Earth so fast that they appear weightless! π¨βπ