Gravitational Forces Between Objects MS-PS2-4

Centripetal force

The force that causes an object to move in a circle. Centripetal force. Centripetal force is what keeps an object moving in a circle by pulling it towards the center of the circle.

Free fall

The motion of a falling object when the only force acting on it is gravity. Free fall. Free fall is when something is dropping to the ground with nothing but gravity pulling it down.

Gravitational potential energy

The energy of an object due to its height above Earths surface. Gravitational potential energy. Gravitational potential energy is the stored energy an object has because it is raised above the ground.

Gravity

The attractive force between all objects that have mass. Gravity. Gravity is a natural force that pulls objects toward each other, like how Earth pulls us towards it, keeping us on the ground.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object. Mass. In simple terms, mass is what makes up an object and determines how heavy it is.

Orbit

The path of one body around another, like Earths orbit around the Sun. Orbit. Orbit is the curved path that an object follows around a planet, star, or moon due to gravity.

Satellite

an object that moves around a larger object in space, like the moon around Earth

Weight

Measure of the force of gravity on an object. Weight. Weight is how much gravity pulls on an object, giving it a certain heaviness.