What is gravity? Section 2-2

Sir Isaac Newton Newton Gravity A famous scientist From England 300 years ago Wondered why objects fell to the ground Discovered and coined the word “gravity” Known as Newton’s law of gravity or universal gravitation. The force of attraction between all objects in the universe. All objects fall in the direction of the Earth’s center.

Gravity, Mass and Distance The amount of gravitational force between two objects depends on the MASS of each object and the DISTANCE between the objects. Which ever object has more mass, it will have the greater gravitational pull. The Earth would have more pull on a falling apple than the apple on the Earth. The force of gravity decreases as the distance between the two objects increases. The force of gravity decreases by an amount equal to 1 divided by the distance (d) squared. F = 1/d2. If you were twice as far from the center of the Earth than you are now, you would weigh ¼ what you weigh now.

H.W. P. 23 Check/Apply 1-8 Wkst. 2-2 Enrichment 2-2