Gravity

Gravity is a pulling force. It is the reason things fall down when you drop them. Earth's gravity keeps us stuck to the ground so we do not float away. Every object in the universe has gravity. The bigger the object, the stronger its gravity pulls.

Gravity on Earth

Earth is very big, so it has strong gravity. That is why balls fall when you throw them up. Gravity also gives things weight. Without gravity, you would float around like you were swimming. Rivers flow downhill and rain falls because of gravity.

Gravity in Space

The Sun has huge gravity that keeps Earth and the other planets moving around it. The Moon's gravity is weaker than Earth's. On the Moon, you could jump six times higher than on Earth. The Moon's gravity also pulls on Earth's oceans and makes the tides.

Fun Facts

• A scientist named Isaac Newton studied gravity after watching an apple fall.
• Astronauts feel weightless in space because they are always falling around Earth.
• You would weigh less on the Moon but would still have the same amount of body.

Did You Know?

A feather and a hammer fall at the same speed on the Moon because there is no air to slow the feather down.