What is Gravity for Kids?
Champs, hold for a second and think why you are not flying, how you and all things around you are able to hold at any place? The answer is gravity. Yes, this happens because of gravity. In this article, we will discuss very important topics like gravity definition for kids and why gravity is important.
Gravity is a force of attraction between everything in the universe. It is a small unnoticeable magnetic pull, but there is no magnet involved. Isn't this very unique? For example, the pen on the table is not flying in air because gravity attracts it to the bottom. You will learn the gravity kid definition.
Newton named this force “gravity” from the Greek word “ gravitas” which means “weight". He came up with the plan that some invisible force must attract the apple in the direction of the earth.
Gravity by Newton
Gravity Definition
Gravity is a force that engages a body in the direction of the centre of the earth or in the direction of any other physical body having mass. Every object that has mass applies a gravitational pull on every mass. The power of this pull or force depends on the masses of objects at play. M1 and M2 are the masses of objects. Gravity is what keeps the planets in a path around the moon and sun. Gravity plays a major role in assisting life on earth. It is due to the gravitational force between earth and the sun that the atmosphere is kept in place or provides us with the air that we need to breathe in order to remain alive. For example, the gases in the sun are held with each other by gravity.
Why do we Need Gravity?
Gravity is very essential for us in day-to-day life. We cannot live on earth without it. The sun’s gravity keeps Earth in a path around it, keeping us at a pleasant distance to enjoy the sun's light and hotness. It clasps down our atmosphere and the air we need to breathe. Gravity is what holds our world together. It is also important on a larger scale. We also overlook that gravity is one of the fundamental forces of nature, together with electromagnetism, weak force, and strong force. Gravity keeps Earth moving around the sun because without gravity these objects would fly off in space.
Who Discovered Gravity?
Issac Newton was the first to discover gravity. He supposedly discovered it when he saw an apple fall from a tree and tried to find an explanation for why it fell instead of floating or anything else. He named this force “gravity,” from the Latin word “gravitas” which means “weight”. According to Newton, the gravitational force is a result of the attraction of two objects that have mass.
Apple Experiencing the Gravitational Force
Interesting Facts About Gravity
Without gravity, your body begins to go wrong.
Your weight changes as you speed- up.
You would feel crumbly at the core of the earth.
Fish have stones in their heads that tell them which direction is up.
You can still realise 90% of the earth’s gravity on the International Space Station.
Gravity can flex light.
Quantum mechanics and gravity don’t combine.
Some bacteria get bigger and better in microgravity.
The moon’s gravity makes the earth’s ocean surge.
Black energy works against gravity.
Greatest gravity can break whole star systems into pieces.
Newton was not struck or hit by an apple.
Universal Law of Gravitation
Newton’s law of universal gravitation refers to two bodies in space pulling on each other with a force comparable to their M1 and M2 masses and the distance between them. For huge objects orbiting one another- the moon and earth. For example- this means that they actually exert observable force on one another. G is the gravitational constant, F is force, r is distance and m is a mass object. It remains the same in everything it is applied to in the whole world.
Law of Gravitation
Summary
In this article, we studied the topic of gravity. We have learned the definition of gravity, why we need gravity, what is gravity for kids, and the universal law of gravitation which was originated by Newton. We also discussed real-life examples where we experience this unique force. Gravity or gravitational force is the force of attraction between any two objects in the universe. The force of attraction depends on the mass of the object and the square of the distance between them. It is by far the weakest known force in nature. This is the article that says how to explain gravity to a kid.
FAQs on Facts About Gravity
1. What is gravity in simple terms for students?
Gravity is an invisible force of attraction that pulls objects with mass toward each other. It's the reason why you stay on the ground instead of floating away, why a dropped apple falls downwards, and why the Moon orbits the Earth. Every object in the universe, from a tiny pen to a giant star, has gravity.
2. Who discovered gravity and how?
Sir Isaac Newton is credited with discovering gravity in the late 17th century. The famous story suggests he developed his theory after observing an apple fall from a tree. This made him wonder why objects always fall straight down, leading him to propose that an invisible force—which he named gravity—was pulling the apple towards the center of the Earth.
3. Why is gravity so important for life on Earth?
Gravity is essential for our survival in several ways. It holds our planet's atmosphere in place, giving us the air we need to breathe. The Sun's gravity keeps Earth in a stable orbit, ensuring we receive the right amount of light and heat. Without gravity, our world and everything on it would simply drift apart into space.
4. What are some interesting facts about gravity?
Gravity has some surprising effects on the universe. Here are a few interesting facts:
- Gravity can bend light: Massive objects like stars and black holes have such strong gravity that they can bend the path of light passing by them.
- It causes ocean tides: The Moon's gravitational pull on Earth is the primary reason we have high and low tides.
- Your weight changes: Your weight is a measure of gravity's pull on your mass. On the Moon, where gravity is weaker, you would weigh about one-sixth of your weight on Earth.
- It is the weakest fundamental force: Despite its powerful effects, gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental forces of nature.
5. What is Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation?
Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation states that every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force. The strength of this force depends on two main factors: the mass of the objects and the distance between them. The more massive the objects, the stronger the pull. The farther apart they are, the weaker the pull becomes.
6. Is gravity the strongest force in the universe?
No, this is a common misconception. Gravity is actually the weakest of the four fundamental forces, which also include electromagnetism, the weak nuclear force, and the strong nuclear force. However, gravity's influence is felt over enormous distances, which is why it is responsible for the structure of planets, stars, and entire galaxies.
7. What would happen if there was no gravity on Earth?
If gravity suddenly disappeared, the consequences would be catastrophic. People, cars, buildings, and water would all float off into space. The atmosphere would disperse, leaving Earth without air. Furthermore, the Earth would no longer be held in its orbit around the Sun and would fly off into the cold, empty space.
8. Does the pull of gravity extend out forever?
In theory, the influence of gravity has an infinite range. However, its strength decreases significantly with distance. While the Earth's gravity technically reaches across the universe, its effect becomes incredibly tiny and is easily overpowered by the gravity of closer, more massive objects. On a cosmic scale, the expansion of the universe also works against gravity's pull between very distant galaxy groups.
