The online gravity simulations on this page will help you understand what gravity is and in particular, terrestrial gravity, how the force of gravity acts on any object. We will also discover what the law of universal gravitation is and why it is so important.
What is terrestrial gravity
Terrestrial gravity is the force of attraction that the Earth exerts on all objects that have mass, keeping them stuck to its surface. As a force, it is also known as the force of gravitation or the force of gravity. It is responsible for the fact that, when an object is dropped, it inevitably falls to the ground, as well as the seas, the atmosphere and even our own bodies remain attached to the planet. It is a very weak force compared to other fundamental forces, such as the electromagnetic force, but its range is infinite.
Law of universal gravitation
According to Newton’s law of universal gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the mass of each object and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. That is, the greater the mass of an object, the greater the gravitational force it exerts, and the greater the distance between two objects, the smaller the gravitational force acting between them.
Importance of gravity
The force of gravitation is responsible for keeping the planets in orbit around the sun and for keeping us glued to the surface of the Earth. Without gravity, the planets would move in straight lines instead of following elliptical orbits, and we would float in space instead of being attached to the surface of the Earth.
Understanding gravity is essential to our understanding of the large-scale universe. Gravity is crucial in the formation of galaxies and the structure of the universe as a whole. Understanding how gravity works helps us explain phenomena such as the formation of black holes, the interaction of stars and galaxies, and the expansion of the universe.
These online gravity simulations show us what gravity is and how it acts Come on!
Explore the exciting STEM world with our free, online simulations and accompanying companion courses! With them you'll be able to experience and learn hands-on. Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in virtual experiences while advancing your education - awaken your scientific curiosity and discover all that the STEM world has to offer!
Gravity simulations
- Lab I
- Lab II
- Planets
Gravitational Force Lab I
Visualize the gravitational force that two objects exert on each other. Discover the factors that affect gravitational attraction and determine how adjusting these factors will change the gravitational force.
File
Gravitational Force Lab II
Visualize the force of gravity that two objects exert on each other. Change the properties of the objects in order to see how changing the properties affects the gravitational attraction.
File
- Law
- Lab I
- Lab II
- Planets
Newton’s Law of Gravitation
The Law of Gravitation states that the force of gravity is proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distances.
Gravitational Force Lab I
Visualize the gravitational force that two objects exert on each other. Discover the factors that affect gravitational attraction and determine how adjusting these factors will change the gravitational force.
File
Gravitational Force Lab II
Visualize the force of gravity that two objects exert on each other. Change the properties of the objects in order to see how changing the properties affects the gravitational attraction.
File
STEM education equipment
Earth Sciences courses


Introduction to Deep Earth Science



The History of Ancient Environments, Climate, and Life



Sensing Planet Earth – Water and Ice



Our Global Ocean – An Introduction Course



The Radio Sky II: Observational Radio Astronomy



The Radio Sky I: Science and Observations



Our Place in the Universe
