Forces and Gravitational Forces Notes

Force

• Definition: A push or pull on an object.

Gravitational Force (Gravity)

• Definition: Force of attraction between two objects.
• Example: Planets orbit the Sun due to gravity.
• The moon has 1/6 the mass of the Earth, which means 1/6 the gravitational pull.

Air Resistance

• Definition: Opposite force caused by air against a moving object.
• Drag is air resistance horizontally.

Mass

• Definition: The amount of matter in an object.

Weight

• Definition: Response of mass to the pull of gravity.
• Formula: Weight = mass * gravitational\ pull
• Weight changes with location; weighs less on the Moon.

Direct Relationship

• Definition: When both factors increase together or decrease together.
• mass \uparrow gravitational\ pull \uparrow
• friction \uparrow speed \uparrow

Indirect Relationship

• Definition: When one factor increases, the other decreases visa versa.
• mass \uparrow gravitational\ pull \downarrow
• distance \uparrow

Planets in Order (starting closest to the sun):

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune