Gravity is a force that attracts all objects towards each other – every object with mass pulls on every other object with mass. When a person jumps off a chair, the person is attracted to the Earth and the Earth is attracted to the person. The Earth moves a tiny distance towards the person as the person moves towards the Earth. However, the forces are quite small, and it takes a great deal of mass to exert an easily detectable force.
Related resources:
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Gravity and satellite motion – article
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Alternative conceptions about gravity – article
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Gravity and satellites: true or false? – activity
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Gravity concept cartoon – image
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Using concept cartoons – article
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Using concept cartoons to explore students’ scientific thinking – activity
Transcript
Gravity is a force that attracts all objects towards each other.
Demonstrate the pull of gravity on two objects by placing a heavy ball onto the gravity well. Roll another heavy ball onto the gravity well.
Observe the movement of the two balls as they get closer to each other.
