Remember

1. Identify who first described gravity.

Sir Isaac Newton

2. Define the following terms

a. ‘gravitation field’

A gravitational field is the area around an object with mass where a gravitational force affects
another object.

b. ‘gravity’

The force that attracts an object toward the centre of another object

c. ‘escape velocity’

The velocity required for an object to escape the gravitational field of another object

3. Explain buoyancy. In which direction does it work?

Buoyancy is also known as upthrust, as it works against the pull of gravity (i.e. upwards).

4. Explain why objects fall straight down towards the Earth’s surface and not slightly to one
side or sideways.

Objects fall straight down, as gravity pulls toward the centre of the Earth, which is always ‘down’.

Apply

5. Using an example, explain the difference between mass and weight.

Mass is the amount of ‘stuff’ an object contains i.e. the number of atoms (it is measured in
kilograms). Weight is how strongly that mass is pulled by gravity towards an object (it is
measured in Newtons).

6. When you throw a ball into the air:

a. what force(s) are acting on the ball while it is in motion?

When the ball has left the hand, gravity is acting on the object, as well as air resistance. The ball
already has momentum from the push of the arm.

b. are the force(s) balanced or unbalanced?

The forces are unbalanced, as the ball is decelerating in the upward motion.

c. what do the force(s) cause the ball to do?

The forces cause the ball to slow down, and eventually stop, before being pulled back to Earth
and accelerating as it falls.

7. Explain the link between buoyancy and density.

Buoyancy acts on an object in a liquid or gas, where it pushes an object up more at the bottom
than the top. Objects that are more dense than the liquid or gas they are in sink through the
liquid or gas; whereas objects that are less dense float because the upthrust is more than the
force of gravity.

8. Use your completed Table 8.2 to determine whether the following statements are true or
false. Correct and rewrite the false statements.
 a. The person will have a greater weight on Neptune than on Earth.

Correct

b. The force of gravity is stronger on Venus than on Earth.

Incorrect - the force of gravity is greater on Earth than Venus.

c. The person will be able to jump higher on Saturn than on Earth.

Correct.

d. The person has a greater mass on the sun than on Earth

Incorrect - mass does not change, only weight does (based on gravitational pull).