How Do Gravitation and Gravity Affect Us in Daily Life?
FAQs on What Is the Difference Between Gravitation and Gravity?
1. What is the difference between gravitation and gravity?
Gravitation refers to the universal force of attraction between any two masses in the universe, while gravity specifically describes the force of attraction exerted by the Earth (or another celestial body) on objects near its surface.
Main points of difference:
- Gravitation is a universal force acting between all objects with mass.
- Gravity is the force of attraction that the Earth exerts on objects.
- All objects experience gravitation, but gravity is commonly used for Earth's attraction.
- Gravity is a specific case of the general law of gravitation.
2. Define gravity and gravitation with examples.
Gravity is the attractive force by which the Earth pulls objects towards its center, e.g., an apple falling to the ground. Gravitation is the mutual force of attraction between all masses, such as the Earth and Moon attracting each other.
- Gravity example: Stone dropping to the ground.
- Gravitation example: Sun attracting planets in the solar system.
3. What are the similarities between gravitation and gravity?
Both gravitation and gravity are attractive forces that act between objects with mass.
- Both follow the inverse square law.
- Both are non-contact forces.
- Both act along the line joining the centers of the masses.
4. Is gravitation a contact force?
Gravitation is a non-contact force.
- It acts even when objects are not touching each other.
- All objects with mass attract each other due to gravitation, regardless of distance.
5. What is Newton’s law of gravitation?
Newton’s law of gravitation states that every point mass attracts every other point mass in the universe with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
- Formula: F = G (m1m2/r2)
- Where G is the universal gravitational constant.
6. Why is gravity stronger near the Earth’s surface?
Gravity is stronger near the Earth's surface because the distance to the Earth's center is less, increasing the force experienced due to the inverse square law.
- Gravity decreases with altitude.
- Maximum gravity is experienced on the surface.
7. What is the formula for gravitational force?
The gravitational force between two masses is given by:
- F = G (m1m2/r2)
- Where F = force between masses, m1 & m2 = masses, r = distance between centers, G = gravitational constant.
8. What is the importance of gravity in daily life?
Gravity is crucial in everyday life as it keeps us grounded, gives weight to objects, and governs the motion of planets and satellites.
- Makes walking and staying on Earth possible.
- Enables water flow and rain to fall.
- Controls tides due to gravitational pull of the moon and sun.
9. How is gravity related to mass and distance?
Gravity is directly proportional to the masses involved and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
- Greater mass = greater gravitational force.
- Larger distance = weaker gravitational force.
- Expressed in Newton's law of gravitation.
10. Why do we use the term gravity more often than gravitation?
The term gravity is used more often in daily life because it specifically refers to the force that the Earth exerts on objects near its surface, which is commonly observed and felt.
- Gravitation applies universally to any two masses.
- Gravity is more relevant to our direct experiences on Earth.
