Gravity
⭐ MasteredGravity is the invisible force that pulls objects toward each other. Earth's gravity keeps us on the ground and the Moon circling Earth.
On the Moon you would weigh about one-sixth of your Earth weight.
All about Gravity
Gravity is a pulling force that every object with mass exerts on every other object. The bigger an object is, the stronger its pull. Earth is very big, so its gravity pulls everything towards its centre.
Gravity is why apples fall from trees and why a ball comes back down after you throw it. It also keeps the Moon orbiting Earth and the planets orbiting the Sun.
Every object pulls on every other object, but you only notice it when one of the objects is very big, like the Earth.
Without gravity, these objects would drift off into space in a straight line. On the Moon, gravity is weaker, so you would feel much lighter and could jump much higher.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows objects falling towards the ground. Watch how every object speeds up as it falls, because gravity keeps pulling it down. The pull is the same for heavy and light objects, which is why they reach the ground at the same time when air resistance is small.
Real-life uses of Gravity
- Keeping water in lakes and oceans rather than floating away
- Helping rockets and satellites follow planned paths
- Making a ball bounce back down after you throw it
Frequently asked questions about Gravity
Why do things fall down?
Earth's gravity pulls every object towards the centre of the planet, so anything you drop falls down.
Is gravity the same everywhere?
Not exactly. Gravity is weaker on the Moon, so you would weigh only about one-sixth of your Earth weight there.
Does gravity only work on Earth?
No. Gravity works everywhere in space too. It keeps planets, moons and stars moving in their paths.