Understanding Universal Gravitation

What everyday phenomenon is NOT caused by gravity?

• Spilled milk falling off a table

• A bicycle falling to the pavement

• An apple staying on a tree

• A trampoline bouncing back up

What is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth?

• 9.8 meters per second squared

• 9.8 newtons per kilogram

• 9.8 kilometers per hour

• 9.8 miles per hour

Which of the following is NOT a question raised about gravity?

• Is gravity like magnetism?

• What variables affect gravity?

• Can gravity be escaped?

• Is gravity stronger on the moon?

What did Johannes Kepler contribute to the understanding of planetary motion?

• He described how planets move around the sun

• He explained why planets move the way they do

• He discovered the force of gravity

• He invented the telescope

What was the main idea behind Newton's Mountain Thought Experiment?

• To illustrate that gravity is stronger at higher altitudes

• To demonstrate that a cannonball can orbit the Earth

• To show that gravity only affects objects on Earth

• To prove that the moon is not affected by gravity

What speed must a cannonball reach to orbit the Earth according to Newton's thought experiment?

• 5,000 meters per second

• 8,000 meters per second

• 10,000 meters per second

• 12,000 meters per second

What does the inverse square law suggest about gravity?

• Gravity increases with distance

• Gravity is unaffected by mass

• Gravity is constant regardless of distance

• Gravity decreases with the square of the distance

How much larger is the acceleration of an apple compared to the moon's according to Newton?

• 60 times larger

• 3,600 times larger

• 36,000 times larger

• 600 times larger

What did Newton discover about gravity?

• Gravity is a universal force

• Gravity does not affect large masses

• Gravity is a force only in space

• Gravity is a force only on Earth

What mystery was Newton able to explain with universal gravitation?

• Why the sun is hot

• Why planets orbit the way they do

• Why the Earth is round

• Why stars twinkle