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10 Examples of gravitational force

September 7, 2023
written by Qamar Zaman

Gravitational force is the force that attracts any two objects with mass. It is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, and it is the force that keeps us on the ground and the planets in orbit around the sun. Falling Objects and Satellite Orbits are the best examples of gravitational force.

Examples of gravitational force

Here are some best examples of gravitational force in action.

image showing the examples of gravitational force

1. Falling Objects

One of the best examples of gravitational force is a falling object. When you drop a book, it falls to the ground due to the gravitational force pulling it downward.

2. Planetary Orbits

The best example of gravitational force is planetary orbit. Planets, like Earth, orbit the Sun due to the gravitational attraction between the planets and the Sun.

3. Tides

The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth’s oceans causes the rise and fall of tides.

4. Weight

Weight is another example of gravitational force. Your weight is a measure of the gravitational force between you and the Earth. It is the force that keeps you grounded.

5. Galaxies

Gravitational forces between stars and other celestial objects play a key role in the formation and dynamics of galaxies.

6. Black Holes

Black holes are formed when massive stars collapse under the force of their own gravity, creating an intense gravitational pull that not even light can escape.

7. Satellite Orbits

Artificial satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) are in constant free-fall toward Earth due to gravity, which keeps them in orbit.

8. Astronomical Phenomena

Gravitational lensing, a consequence of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, occurs when massive objects like galaxies bend and distort the light from objects behind them due to their gravitational pull.

9. Falling Apples

Newton’s famous apple falling from a tree is a classic example that led to his discovery of the law of universal gravitation.

10. Astronauts Floating in Space

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station appear weightless because they are in a constant state of free-fall around Earth due to gravity.

These examples illustrate how gravitational force is a fundamental and pervasive aspect of the physical universe, influencing everything from everyday objects on Earth to the motion of celestial bodies in space.

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