Gravitational Force on Planets

Astronauts on the Moon can jump higher than if they were on Earth. This is because

• the astronauts are less massive on the Moon.

• there is no friction on the Moon.

• Newton's laws of motion do not apply to the Moon.

• the Moon is less massive than the Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

According to the law of universal gravitation, any two objects are attracted to each other. The strength of the gravitational force depends on the masses of the objects and their distance from each other. Many stars have planets around them. If there were no gravity attracting a planet to its star, the planet's motion would carry it away from the star. However, when this motion is balanced by the gravitational attraction to the star, the planet orbits the star. Two solar systems each have a planet the same distance from the star. The planets have the same mass, but Planet A orbits a more massive star than Planet B. Which of the following statements is true about the planets?

• Planet A orbits its star faster than Planet B.

• Planet A has a longer year than Planet B.

• Planet B is more attracted to its star than Planet A.

• Planet B will keep orbiting its star longer than Planet A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following exists around every object that has mass?

• magnetic poles

• electric charges

• a magnetic field

• a gravitational field

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Which of the following is true of Earth's gravity?

• It pulls objects toward the Earth's surface without touching them.

• It only has an effect on objects farther than ten meters from the Earth's surface.

• It pushes objects away from the Earth's surface without touching them.

• It only has an effect on the Moon and the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

The data above were collected by scientists testing the force of gravity between two objects. What does the data in the table support?

• The force of gravity only depends on the object with less mass.

• The force of gravity only depends on the distance between the objects interacting.

• The force of gravity depends on the masses of the objects interacting.

• The force of gravity only depends on the object with more mass.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following statements explains why the Earth has a gravitational field?

• It is revolving around the Sun.

• It is rotating on its axis.

• It has mass.

• It has an electric charge.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

In which situation is the gravitational force between two objects hard to detect?

• if the mass of each object is very small

• if the mass of both objects is very great

• if the mass of one of the objects is very great

• if the objects are very close together

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Why does the Sun gravitationally dominate all other objects in the Solar System?

• The Sun is by far the brightest object in the Solar System.

• The Sun is by far the most massive object in the Solar System.

• The Sun moves at a greater speed than any of the other objects in the Solar System.

• The Sun is the closest object to planet Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

When a scale is used to weigh an object on Earth, it measures the gravitational force that pulls on the object. The unit for the force of gravity pulling on an object is the newton (N). A student uses a scale to measure the force of gravity on 5 different objects, each with a mass of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 grams. She plotted her data on the graph shown above. What does the data show?

• The greater the mass of an object, the greater the gravitational pull exerted on it by Earth.

• An object gains mass when the gravitational force on Earth remains the same.

• The smaller the mass of an object, the greater the gravitational pull exerted on it by Earth.

• An object loses mass when the gravitational force on Earth remains the same.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Scientists are observing and recording data for two different planets, planet X and planet Y. Each planet orbits a different star. The planets have the same mass. The scientists record the following data. Which of the following statements is most likely true?

• The star close to planet Y has less mass.

• The star close to planet Y is hotter.

• The star close to planet Y is cooler.

• The star close to planet Y has more mass.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4