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Gravity, force and weight

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Gravity

Gravity is a force that attracts objects towards each other. Any object with mass exerts a force of gravity. The greater the mass, the greater the force. The force of gravity between two objects decreases as the objects move further apart.

The force of gravity is not very noticeable unless one of the objects – such as the Earth or the Sun – has a huge mass.

Earth in space, surrounded by arrows pointing inwards showing the direction of gravity

Gravity attracts objects towards the centre of the Earth

Gravity:

  • pulls objects on Earth towards the centre of the planet
  • holds the Earth's atmosphere in place
  • holds all the components of the solar system in orbit around the Sun
  • holds all the components of the galaxy together

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