How much gravity is in space

It gives shape to the orbits of the planets, the solar system, and even galaxies. Gravity from the Sun reaches throughout the solar system and beyond, keeping the planets in their orbits.

Gravity from Earth keeps the Moon and human-made satellites in orbit. It is true that gravity decreases with distance, so it is possible to be far away from a planet or star and feel less gravity. But that doesn't account for the weightless feeling that astronauts experience in space.

The reason that astronauts feel weightless actually has to do with their position compared to their spaceship. We feel weight on Earth because gravity is pulling us down, while the floor or ground stop us from falling. Some pencils, balls, and books should do the trick.

Carefully release each item from a height of about four feet above the ground. What happens? Do any of the items float up to the ceiling? Why not? You guessed it! If they hit the floor, it's because gravity is alive and well. Have fun thinking about what life would be like if gravity did not exist. How would we deal with things floating off all the time?

Want to duplicate the effect of gravity that astronauts feel in space? Check out the Gravity Water Drop science experiment online. You'll need a Styrofoam cup with a hole in it and some water. Follow the directions to see for yourself how gravity affects astronauts in space! Is it possible to defy gravity? Try the Defying Gravity Experiment to see for yourself.

All you'll need is some water, a glass, and a piece of cardboard. What do you think? Were you able to defy gravity? Share the experiment with friends and family members. What do they think will happen? Are they surprised by the result? Did you get it? Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words float force apply explain mass orbit physics indeed relation falling surface absence powerful undetectable misunderstanding everywhere experience gravitational Take the Wonder Word Challenge.

Join the Discussion. LemonJuice Mar 20, I love space. I want to go into space and just float there, flying around. If only I wouldn't die It must be so fun to be an astrunaut!! This was extremely cool! Mar 11, Masi Feb 4, Person Jan 15, Jan 15, It's definitely beneficial for--say--furniture arrangement! Nov 13, Jelly Nov 12, Oct 15, Spongebob Oct 1, This passage or article idk, gave me important information for space.

Oct 3, You're welcome, Wonder Friend! Sep 30, You just did. Congrats, stranger things! Aug 2, We're sorry to hear it makes you sad, uuuu. Wonder Friend Jan 23, Derek Jan 19, So you're telling me, that as the very very small Hailey's comet travels through the solar system, every planet it passes gravity cannot pull it down, even planets like Jupiter and Saturn with their massive gravitational pull? But, once the comet gets out past Pluto, the Suns gravity, that far out, can grab hold of said comet, and pull it back in for another loop around the solar system?

What nonsense! You said that gravity is much weaker at great distance, so why then wouldn't a massive planet pull it in? This makes no sense at all! Jan 22, Isla Roen Jan 14, Jan 8, Jump in, luca with a long U! Orange man Nov 5, Irene Nov 1, Hi wonderopolis! Do earthquakes happen in the center of earth? You always help everyone understand everything! Seppo May 21, Dylan Sep 12, Sep 17, We're so glad that you learned more about gravity with us, Dylan!

May 23, The people of earth May 13, Albert Einstein described gravity as a curve in space that wraps around an object—such as a star or a planet. If another object is nearby, it is pulled into the curve. Image credit: NASA. Anything that has mass also has gravity. Objects with more mass have more gravity. Gravity also gets weaker with distance. So, the closer objects are to each other, the stronger their gravitational pull is.

Earth's gravity comes from all its mass. All its mass makes a combined gravitational pull on all the mass in your body. That's what gives you weight. And if you were on a planet with less mass than Earth, you would weigh less than you do here. You exert the same gravitational force on Earth that it does on you. Gravity is what holds the planets in orbit around the sun and what keeps the moon in orbit around Earth.

The gravitational pull of the moon pulls the seas towards it, causing the ocean tides. Gravity creates stars and planets by pulling together the material from which they are made. Gravity not only pulls on mass but also on light.