Gravitational Forces

Front

Gravity Noun

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[grav-i-tee]

Back

Gravity

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A natural force of attraction that exists between any two objects that have mass, pulling them toward each other.

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Example: An apple falling from a tree shows gravity pulling it toward the ground.

Front

Mass Noun

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[mas]

Back

Mass

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A measure of the amount of matter contained within a physical object, which remains constant regardless of its location.

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Example: A balance scale with a feather and a rock shows how mass is a measure of matter.

Front

Weight Noun

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[wayt]

Back

Weight

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A measure of the force of gravity acting on an object's mass, which can change depending on its location.

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Example: An apple falling from a tree shows the force of gravity acting on its weight.

Front

Force Noun

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[fors]

Back

Force

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A push or a pull exerted on an object that can cause it to change its motion, direction, or shape.

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Example: A hand releases a basketball, and gravity pulls it down, showing force as a push or pull.

Front

Law of Universal Gravitation Noun

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[law uv yoo-ni-vur-suhl grav-i-tay-shuhn]

Back

Law of Universal Gravitation

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The scientific principle stating that gravitational force between two objects decreases as the distance between them increases.

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Example: The image shows gravitational force between Earth and another object, illustrating how gravity pulls objects together.

Front

Orbit Noun

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[or-bit]

Back

Orbit

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The curved path an object follows as it revolves around another, more massive object due to gravitational attraction.

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Example: Earth's orbit around the Sun shows the curved path due to gravitational attraction.

Front

Momentum Noun

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[moh-men-tuhm]

Back

Momentum

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A property of a moving object determined by its mass and velocity, which helps it maintain its orbital path.

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Example: A ball pushed by a spring shows how mass and velocity affect momentum.

Front

Elliptical Adjective

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[ih-lip-ti-kuhl]

Back

Elliptical

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Describing a shape that is like a flattened circle or an oval, such as the orbital paths of planets.

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Example: Earth's orbit around the Sun is elliptical, with varying distances at different points.

Front

Tides Noun

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[tydz]

Back

Tides

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The regular rise and fall of the ocean's water level caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun.

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Example: The image shows Earth's tides with high and low tides caused by the Moon's gravitational pull.

Front

Force that acts at a distance Noun

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[fors that akts at uh dis-tuhns]

Back

Force that acts at a distance

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A force that can influence an object without making physical contact, such as gravity, magnetism, or electrical force.

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Example: Arrows show gravitational force acting between Earth and an object, illustrating 'force that acts at a distance'.