Definition and effects of Gravity (Coursework Sample)

Gravity
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Gravity
The definition of gravity is that it is the force that attracts two physical bodies in proportion to their mass
The discovery of gravity
Upon observation of an apple falling from a tree, one can notice that apple’s velocity increases. This shows that there is the existence of a force that causes acceleration. Isaac Newton discovered this force of acceleration and he named it gravity. Newton’s own definition of gravity is that it is a force that attracts all objects to other objects. However, Albert Einstein’s explanation is different from Newton’s for he says that gravity is an outcome of the curvature of space time.
The significance of the force of gravity.
Gravity is essential to all man kind as well as other living creatures since it enables us to walk on the earth’s surface. The force of gravity causes objects to fall back to the ground. The earth’s gravitational pull is what attracts all objects to the centre of the earth. The moon has less gravitational pull than the earth’s. So once an object is thrown upwards it cannot fall back to the moon’s surface. That is why objects seem weightless on the moon, and it is close to impossible to walk on the moon. The gravitational pull of the earth maintains the moon revolution around the earth. Due to the fact that the sun has a much greater gravitational pull it can keep all the planets including the earth in orbit as they revolve around it. Gravity is also responsible for existence of the earth and all the other planets. This can be explained that the materials that make up the planets were attracted to each other by this force of gravity so the particles joined to form the planets. The atmosphere in the earth also exists due to gravity. This force of gravity can be utilized for various purposes. It can be a source of power to run motors and even lamps. The gravitational pull of the moon acts on the oceans and seas of the earth and this brings about high and low tides.
The pictures above show how the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun pulls the earth waters causing different tides at different times.
Centre of gravity.
All bodies on earth have their own centre of gravity. The centre of gravity of a body is the point of application of the resultant force due to the earth’s attraction on the body.
To establish a body’s centre of gravity.
To determine the centre of gravity of an object one simply suspends the body from the single point. The place directly beneath the single point is the centre of gravity. There are also calculations and measurements to be taken if one wants to determine for a specific geometric shape like a triangular prism. One can also find centres of gravity for different shapes in published physics books.
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