Gravity

Chapter 5 Section 4
Objectives:

Describe gravity and its effect on matter

Explain the law of universal gravitation

Describe the difference between mass and

weight
Gravity:

The force of attraction between objects

that is due to their masses

The force of gravity can change the motion

of an object by changing its speed,
direction, or both
The Effects of Gravity on
Matter:
All matter has mass

Gravity is a result of mass

All objects experience an attraction toward all

other objects

The gravitational force pulls objects toward each

other
Can you feel it?
The mass of most objects is too small to cause
a force large enough to move objects toward
each other

Earth is massive enough to feel the pull!

The Size of Earth’s
Gravitational Force
Earth has a huge mass

Gravitational force is large

Force must be applied to overcome this

gravitational force

Everything is pulled toward the center of the

Earth
Newton and the Study of
Gravity

1665 – Sir Isaac Newton:

The Law of Universal Gravitation

Describes the relationships between

gravitational force, mass, and distance
Applies to all objects in the universe
The Law of Universal
Gravitation:

All objects in the universe attract each

other through gravitational force

The size of the force depends on the

masses of the objects and the distance
between the objects

Formula
Understanding the Law in 2
Parts:

Part 1: Gravitational Force Increases as

Mass Increases
Imagine an elephant and a cat…

Gravitational force is small between objects

that have small masses
Gravitational force is large when the mass of
one or both objects is large

Figure 3 page 136 in text.

Law of Universal
Gravitation:
Part 2: Gravitational Force Decreases as
Distance Increases
You the sun and the Earth…

Planets stay in orbit because they have large masses

Gravitational force is strong when the distance

between 2 objects is small
If the distance increases, the gravitational force
pulling them together decreases rapidly (Figure 5, pg.
137 in text)
Weight as a Measure
of Gravitational Force
Weight is a measure of gravitational force on an object

Differences between weight and mass:

Weight changes when the gravitational force changes

Mass is the amount of matter in an object (does not

change)

The moon’s gravitational force is about 1/6 the Earth’s

gravitational force
Units of Weight & Mass:

SI unit of force = newton (N)

Gravity is a force, weight is a measure of

gravity, weight is also measured in newtons

SI unit of mass = kilograms (kg)

On Earth, a 100g object weighs about 1 N.

Quick Quiz:

What is the difference between mass and

weight?

What must you know to calculate the

gravitational force between 2 objects?

Where would you weigh the most, on a

boat, on the space shuttle, or on the moon?