Do you know what is gravitation? Let’s take a example. Have you ever dropped your pen and watched it fall to the floor? Or jumped in the air only to come back down seconds later? That’s gravity in action—a force so familiar that we often take it for granted.
But the exciting part about it is the gravitation is one of the most important forces in the universe! It keeps planets orbiting the Sun, makes rain fall from the sky, and even helps galaxies stick together. In this guide, we’ll explore everything about what is gravitation in a simple, inspiring, and analytical way, perfect for students and for them who are curious about it.
What is Gravitation?
Gravitation is the force by which every object in the universe pulls on every other object. It depends on two main things:
- Mass of the objects
- Distance between them
The more massive the objects and the closer they are, the stronger the gravitational pull.
In Simple Words:
If the Earth is like a giant magnet, gravitation is the invisible string that holds everything close to it—you, me, oceans, air, and even satellites!
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A Bit of History – Newton and the Apple
The Famous Apple Story
Legend says that Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity when he saw an apple fall from a tree. He asked a simple but brilliant question: “Why did the apple fall down and not sideways or upward?”
This led him to develop the Universal Law of Gravitation.
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation:
“Every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.”
What is Gravitation’s Formula?
F=G(m1m2)/R2
Gravitational force ∝ (mass of object 1 × mass of object 2) / (distance between them)²
Where:
- F is the gravitational force,
- G is the gravitational constant (6.674×1011 Nm2/kg2)
- m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects,
- r is the distance between the centers of the two masses.
Mass vs Weight – Don’t Get Confused!
Many students mix these up, but they’re different:
| Property | Mass | Weight |
| Definition | Amount of matter in a body | Force with which Earth pulls an object |
| Unit | Kilogram (kg) | Newton (N) |
| Changes with location? | No | Yes |
| Measured with | Beam balance | Spring balance |
Formula for Weight:
W= mg (where W is the weight of the object, m is its mass, and Where g is the acceleration due to gravity (on Earth, g=9.8 m/s2 ).
Free Fall and Acceleration Due to Gravity
When objects fall under the effect of gravity alone (without any air resistance), they are in free fall.
Acceleration Due to Gravity:
- Denoted by g
- On Earth, g=9.8 m/s2
- All objects fall at the same rate regardless of their mass (if air resistance is ignored)
That means a feather and a hammer fall at the same speed on the Moon, where there is no air!
Wat Is Gravitation on Earth vs Space
On Earth:
- We feel gravity as weight.
- It keeps everything grounded.
In Space:
- Astronauts appear weightless because they are in free fall.
- Gravity still acts on them, but they’re falling around the Earth, not toward it.
This state is called microgravity, often confused with “zero gravity.”
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What Is Gravitational Force in the Universe?
Gravitation keeps the universe in order:
- Planets orbit stars (like Earth orbits the Sun)
- Moons orbit planets
- Galaxies form and rotate
Even light can be affected by gravity near supermassive objects like black holes!
Fun Fact:
Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity explains gravity as the bending of space-time by mass.
Factors Affecting Gravitational Force
- Mass of objects: Greater mass = stronger gravitational pull
- Distance between objects: Greater distance = weaker force
This is why you don’t feel attracted to your friend sitting next to you—your masses are too small!
Artificial Satellites & Orbits
Gravitation helps keep satellites in orbit.
Types of Satellites:
- Geostationary: Stay fixed above one point on Earth
- Polar: Move over Earth’s poles for full coverage
Uses:
- Weather forecasting
- GPS
- Communication
- Scientific research
Tides and Gravity
Ever noticed the rise and fall of sea levels? That’s due to gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth’s oceans.
- High tide: When water is pulled toward the Moon
- Low tide: Water is pulled away
Even the Sun influences tides, creating spring tides and neap tides.
What Is Gravitation?- Gravity on Other Planets
Gravity varies from planet to planet. For example:
| Planet | Gravity (m/s^2) | Experience |
| Earth | 9.8 | Normal |
| Moon | 1.6 | You’d weigh less! |
| Mars | 3.7 | Lower than Earth |
| Jupiter | 24.8 | Much stronger gravity |
That’s why astronauts look like they’re floating on the Moon.
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What Is Gravitational Constant (G)?
This is a fixed value used in the Universal Law of Gravitation.
G=6.674×10−11 Nm2/kg2G = 6.674×1011 Nm2/kg2
It is very small, which is why we don’t feel gravitational pull between small objects around us.
Weightlessness – Floating in Space
When astronauts are in orbit, they experience apparent weightlessness.
They are actually falling around the Earth, but since the spacecraft is also falling, they feel like they’re floating.
Real-Life Applications of Gravitation
- Sports: Predicting how a ball will fall or bounce
- Engineering: Building structures that stay grounded
- Transport: Designing vehicles that resist gravity
Medical science: Understanding blood flow, bone density in astronauts
Summary –What Is Gravitation in a Nutshell
- Gravitation is a universal force acting between any two objects.
- It depends on mass and distance.
- It causes free fall, orbits, tides, and keeps everything grounded.
- Mass is different from weight.
- Satellites, space missions, and everyday life all rely on gravity.
Understanding gravitation gives us the key to unlocking many scientific mysteries and appreciating the amazing universe we live in.
FAQs – Clearing Common Doubts about What Is Gravitation
Q: Why don’t we float like astronauts on Earth?
A: Because Earth’s gravity is strong enough to keep us grounded.
Q: Does gravity ever stop?
A: No, it decreases with distance but never becomes zero.
Q: Is there gravity on the Moon?
A: Yes, but it’s only 1/6th as strong as Earth’s gravity.
We hope that your doubts about what is gravitation are clear now. You can ask if you have any doubts further. Thanks for reading this blogpost!