Forces such as gravity and friction can affect the speed and direction of an object.
The Force of Gravity
Gravity is a force that always attracts or pulls objects toward each other without direct contact or impact that depends on the mass of the objects and their distance from one another.
Factors that Determine the Force of Gravity:
(1) Mass
(2) Distance
(2) Distance
Use the interactive below to experiment with how mass and distance influence the force of gravity:
Interactive Guide:
- How does increasing the mass of one object affect the gravitational force?
- How does increasing the distance between the two objects affect the gravitational force?
- How does decreasing the mass of one object affect the gravitational force?
- How does decreasing the distance between the two objects affect the gravitational force?
- How can you make the force of gravity the smallest in this model?
- How can you make the force of gravity the greatest in this model?
Objects Don't Fall Down!?!Objects on Earth (and in the Solar System) are pulled toward the center.
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The Force of Gravity
Can Affect the Speed and Direction of Objects:
The force of gravity, like all other forces, can cause changes in the speed of objects.
As an object falls, its speed will continually increase until it reaches terminal velocity as Earth’s gravity continually pulls it toward Earth's center.
As an object falls, its speed will continually increase until it reaches terminal velocity as Earth’s gravity continually pulls it toward Earth's center.
Gravity can also cause an object that is thrown into the air to change its upward motion, slow down, and fall back toward Earth’s surface.
The Force of Gravity Keeps us in Orbit! Thanks Gravity!
Use the interactive below to investigate how mass and distance influence how objects orbit in space!
Interactive Guide:
- What factors can you change to destroy a planet?
- What do you need to do to keep an object in orbit?
Video Guide:
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Topic Tips
- The force of gravity pulls objects to the center.
- The force of gravity can change the speed (slow down, or speed up) and direction of objects.
- The two factors that affect the gravitational attraction between objects include the object's mass and distance.