Gravity

Match the following

• Solar system

• The change in an object's position with respect to time and in comparison with the position of other objects used as reference points

• Gravity

• The force that causes objects with mass to attract to one another

• Distance

• A push or pull that can change the motion of an object

• Motion

• A star and the group of planets and otehr celestial bodies that are held by its gravitational attraction and revolve around it

• Force

• A measure of how far apart two objects are

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

The gravitational attraction between two objects is reduced most when–

• The masses are increased and the distance between them is decreased.

• The masses are decreased and the distance between them is increased.

• The masses are increased and the distance between them is increased.

• The masses are decreased and the distance between them is decreased.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The orbital paths of objects in our solar system are the result of which of the following?

• The balance between the motion of the bodies and gravitational forces.

• The frictional forces acting on the bodies when they hit space debris.

• The shapes of the bodies and their chemical compositions.

• The relative ages of the bodies and their chemical compositions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Satellites have a forward motion when launched into orbit. What keeps a satellite from flying off into space and keeps it in orbit around Earth?

• The gravity of the Sun pushes the satellite into orbiting Earth.

• There is no gravity above Earth’s atmosphere.

• The gravity of Earth pulls the satellite into orbit.

• Frictional forces in space push the satellite back into orbit.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

If there were no atmosphere on Earth, which object would hit the ground first?

• The feather because it has less mass.

• The feather because it is smaller.

• Both objects would hit the ground at the same time.

• The hammer because it has more mass.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

Every object that has mass has a gravitational force. Why are we unable to feel the gravitational force of the objects around us?

• The objects are not close enough for us to feel their gravitational force.

• The objects around us are not large enough to generate a gravitational force.

• The gravitational force of Earth is too small compared to that of the objects around us.

• The gravitational force of Earth is so large compared to the objects around us.

Why does the Moon orbit Earth and not the Sun?

• The Moon orbits Earth and not the Sun because Earth’s atmosphere gives Earth greater gravitational pull than the Sun.

• The Moon orbits Earth and not the Sun because the Moon would burn up from the Sun’s extreme heat if the Moon were to orbit the Sun.

• The Moon orbits Earth and not the Sun because Earth has more mass than the Sun. The greater the mass, the greater the gravitational pull.

• The Moon orbits Earth and not the Sun because Earth is closer to the Moon than the Sun is. The shorter the distance between two celestial objects, the greater the gravitational pull.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The table provided lists objects’ masses and their distances apart. Place the objects in order from 1-4 (1 being the greatest gravitational force, and 4 being the least gravitational force) based on the gravitational force of attraction between the two objects described in each column.

Answer explanation

greatest gravitational pull --> least GP:

Object 2, 1, 3, 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Which object in the diagram has the largest gravitational force in our solar system?

• Sun

• Earth

• Jupiter

• Neptune

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

How do we know that the Sun has the largest gravitational force in the solar system?

• It is the smallest object and has the least mass.

• It is the farthest away from the Moon.

• It is the largest object and has the most mass.

• It is closest to the Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-5