Gravity is the most mysterious force in the universe. If there were no gravitational forces, the planets would scatter from the Sun, like billiard balls from a cue.

Gravity - Gravity

If you look deeper, it will become clear that there would be no gravity, there would be no planets themselves. The force of gravity - the attraction of matter to matter - this is the force that collected matter in the planets and gave them a round shape.

The gravitational force of the Sun is quite enough to hold nine planets, dozens of their satellites and thousands of asteroids and comets. This whole company swarm revolves around the Sun, like moths around a lighted balcony. If there were no gravitational force, these planets, satellites and comets would each fly their own way in a straight line. Instead, they revolve around the Sun in their orbits, because the Sun by the force of their attraction constantly bends their rectilinear trajectory, attracting planets, moons and comets with asteroids to themselves.

Gravity and distance between objects

The planets revolve around the star, just like the ponies who roll the children walk in a circle, tied to a pillar in the center of this circle. The difference is only in the way of binding. Cosmic bodies are attached to the Sun by invisible strands of gravity. True, the greater the distance between the objects, the less the attractive force between them. The sun attracts much weaker the planet Pluto, the farthest in the solar system, than, say, Mercury or Venus.The force of gravity decreases (or increases) exponentially with distance.

What does it mean? If, for example, the Earth were twice as far from the Sun as it is now, then the force of attraction would decrease by four times. If we increase the distance between the Sun and the Earth three times, then the force of gravity would decrease by nine times. Etc. If you “push” the Earth far enough and reduce the force of gravity to almost zero, then the Earth can break the bonds of solar attraction and go on an independent interstellar voyage.

Gravity and body weight

The mass of bodies, that is, the amount of matter in them, also affects the force of gravity. The Earth and the Sun mutually attract each other, but since the mass of the Sun is much larger, it attracts the Earth more strongly. Scientists believe that gravity forms a space that bends around clumps of matter. The more massive the bunch, the more space is bent. How does this happen? Together with a friend, tightly stretch the sheet on the weight. Put a heavy metal ball on the sheet. The sheet will bend under the weight of the ball and take its shape.

Interesting fact: scientists are convinced that the force of gravity bends space, giving it shape.

If you put smaller balls on the sheet, they will slide down to a large one. According to scientists, something similar happens with the stars. They bend the space like balls a sheet in your experience, and cause other objects to "roll" towards them.