Gravity in our Solar System

Gravity in our Solar System

by Jill Richardson

​Gravity is one of the fundamental forces of the universe. It causes every object to attract other objects. It is a powerful force that glues our universe together. It causes the motion of planets, stars, and galaxies. Because of gravity, the moon orbits Earth, and Earth orbits the sun. Gravity can be defined as the force that pulls two objects toward each other.

Multiple Choice

What is gravity?

• the force that draws two objects toward each other

• something with glue in it

• the force of two things repelling one another

• the beginning developments of a big hole.

Multiple Choice

Gravity is one of the fundamental __________.

• forces of an nebula

• forces of the universe

• forces of mankind

• forces of black holes

​Anything that has mass also has gravitational pull. The more mass an object has, the stronger its gravitational force. Earth's gravitational pull is so strong, we do not notice the pull from other objects. Earth's gravity pulls everything to the center of Earth and prevents us from flying off into space. Gravity even holds entire galaxies together. Galaxies are stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.

Multiple Choice

The more mass an object has __________.

• the gravitational pull is the same

• the gravitational pull is weaker

• the gravitational pull is greater

• the gravitational pull does not change.

Multiple Choice

Why do we not notice the gravitational pull of objects like our books or desks?

• Because the mass of the objects are the same as Earth.

• Because the mass of the objects are so much greater than Earth

• Because the mass of the objects are so much less than Earth

• there is not really a difference between the objects and Earth

​Weight is a force caused by gravity.

• The weight of an object is the gravitational force between the object and Earth.

• ​The more mass an object has, the greater its weight.

• ​Gravitational force increases when the mass is larger and the object is closer to another object.​