Gravity and Microgravity
One-Minute Physics!
What is Gravity?
• An invisible force that pulls objects in the universe towards one another
What is Gravity?
• Isaac Newton first determined the properties of gravity
• Albert Einstein discovered why there is gravity
OBJECTS with MASS cause SPACE to become WARPED.
"Hey Marge. Look, Einstein was right!" - Homer Simpson
What is Gravity?
• Holds everything on Earth• Keeps the moon circling the Earth– Alice and Bob video
What is Gravity?
• Holds the Earth and the other planets around the Sun
What is Gravity?
• It takes a lot of energy to escape Earth’s gravitational pull!
Microgravity (aka weightlessness)
• Force of gravity is present, but there is no real ‘sensation’ or feeling of weight
• Occurs when an object or a person is falling freely
Microgravity (aka weightlessness)
• Examples on Earth:– Bungee jumping– Vomit comet– Elevator
Microgravity (aka weightlessness)
• On a spacecraft, it occurs because the spacecraft is continually falling toward Earth at the same time as it is zooming forward (the spacecraft is in free fall)
Microgravity (aka weightlessness)
• Effects on humans:– Dizziness– Puffy face and skinny legs– Bone and Muscle loss
