G3 Gravity_02

Defining Gravity

Gravity is a force, but not like other forces you may know. Gravity is a bit special. You know that a force is a push or pull. If you push a ball, it starts to roll. If you lift a book, it moves upward. Now imagine you drop a ball. It falls to the ground. Could you see the force pulling it down? That is what makes gravity really cool. It is invisible. Invisible means you cannot see it. But wait, it has even more surprises. 

Gravity holds planets in place around the Sun. Gravity keeps the Moon from flying off into space. Gravity exerts a force on objects. 

The objects do not need to be touching. You can’t see gravity. It is invisible. In fact, gravity can act on objects that are far apart. Planets are a long way from the Sun. The Sun’s gravity can still hold them in orbit. However, the force does get weaker with distance. The force of gravity is weaker the further you are away from the other object.