THE PULL OF GRAVITY

Everything made of matter is affected by the pull of gravity. All matter on or near the Earth is attracted
to the Earth. In fact, all bits of matter attract each other. Sir Isaac Newton discovered this in the seventeenth
century.
The gravitational attraction between two objects depends, on their
masses. The bigger the masses, the stronger the gravitational attraction.
Gravitational forces exist between objects even when they are not
touching. For example, there is a gravitational between the Earth and the
moon. This keeps the moon in place. Similarly, a gravitational force keeps
satellites in orbit around the Earth. The Earth itself is kept in orbit around
the sun by a gravitational force. So are all the other planets.
Mass and weight
Mass and weight are not the same.
Mass is the quantity of matter in an object. It is measured in grams
or kilograms. Weight is a force - measured with a spring balance. It is the
downward force of gravity. Because it is a force, weight is measured in
Newtons (N).
The scales of weighing machines are usually marked in mass units
(kilograms). This is why most people think mass and weight are the same,
even though they aren't. When you weigh yourself, you are measuring the
pull of gravity on you. And this is a force, not a mass.
The moon has
less mass than the Earth. So the moon would not attract you as strongly as
the Earth does. This is why gravity is less on the moon than it is on Earth.
Your mass does not change, but your weight does (Fig 7). You can jump
higher on the moon, and you don't come down as quickly as you would on
Earth.
EXERCISES
1.
Match these weights with the correct object.
1N
a 5 litre can of petrol
50 N
the Guinness Book of Records
450 N
an apple
10 N
you
2

Are the following statements true or false?

(a) Mass and weight are the same.
(b) Weight depends on gravity.
(c) Mass depends on gravity.
(d) Objects are light when gravity is weak.
(e) An astronaut has the same mass on the
moon as on Earth.

(f) An astronaut weighs the same on the

moon as on Earth.
(g) The moon's gravity is stronger than the
Earth's gravity.
(h) Gravity only affects heavy things.

The figure below shows a spring balance, kitchen scales, and bathroom scales. Write down the reading
on
each.

Look at Fig 9. Choose the correct word to complete these

sentences in your notebook.
(a) The force of gravity is a ___________ (push/pull).
(b) A force pulls the spring ____________ (up/down).
(c) The heavier the object, the_____________(less/greater) the
force.
(d) The stronger the force, ___________ (more/less) the spring
stretches.
(e) A 10 N weight is a _____________ (stronger/weaker) force
than a 20 N weight.
(f) A 20 N force stretches the spring ___________ (twice as
much/half as much) as a 10 N force.
(g) Copy and complete
the table. Can you see a
pattern in the data?
(h) Using the data in the
table, predict how much a 50 N weight would stretch the spring.

Copy and complete these sentences.

(a) Mass is the amount of_________in an object. It is measured in _______________.
(b) Weight is a downward _____________ due to gravity. It is measured in _____________ .
(c) The stronger the gravity, the___________ something weighs; the weaker the gravity, the________
the weight.
A cricketer hits a ball into the air. Is there a force on the ball while it is in the air? Explain.
A baby has a mass of 4 kilograms. Copy and complete the table below, showing the baby's mass and
weight in different places. For the weights, choose from these values:
0N
7N
40 N 400 N

6
7

on Earth

on the moon

deep in space

mass of baby
weight of baby
FRICTION
Brad races down a concrete driveway on his skateboard. At the end of the driveway his skateboard hits
the grass and slows down suddenly. Brad flies off his board. Friction between the skateboard wheels and the
grass has slowed down the board.
Friction is a force that slows down or prevents movement. It acts in the opposite direction to the
movement.
There are three types of
friction rolling friction, sliding
friction and fluid friction. (See
Fig 12:)
For rolling and sliding, the size
of the frictional force depends on
the weight of the object. For
example, it is much easier to
push a small sports car than it is

to push a large limousine. Friction also depends on the type of surfaces that are rubbing together. Rough
surfaces generally produce more friction than smooth surfaces.
Car accidents often occur when it is raining. When a driver puts on the brakes there may not be enough
friction between the tyres and the wet road to stop the car in time. Similarly, if you walk on a wet floor, your
feet may slide from under you.
Fluid friction occurs when things move across or through a liquid or gas; for example, when you go
water skiing, or when you ride your bike against the wind. In a fluid the frictional force on an object depends on
its size and shape, and its speed. For example, the shape of the modern car in Fig 14 allows it to move more
easily through the air than the old T-model Ford. There is less fluid friction.

A rolling object meets with less friction than a sliding one. This explains how the Egyptians were able to move the
huge blocks needed to make the pyramids. It is also how ball or roller bearings reduce friction between a wheel and axle
(Fig 16).

Lubricants
Friction causes moving surfaces that are in contact with each other to get
hot. You can find this out for yourself if you rub your hands together rapidly.
Friction also causes the moving parts of machines to wear out.
Lubricants such as oil and grease are used to reduce friction between the
moving parts of machines. For example, the bearings of bicycles and roller skates
are oiled or greased. This
reduces wear, and makes the
wheels turn more easily. .
Our bodies, like machines,
also have moving parts.
Where bones slide over each
other at joints it is important
to reduce friction. Because
of this there is a lubricating fluid between them to make them slide
more easily. (See Fig 17.) If this lubricating system doesn't work
properly, you get swelling and pain in your joints. This is called
arthritis.

EXERCISES
1
What sort of friction occurs in the following situations?
(a) A man pushes a cupboard across the floor.
(b) A bowling ball moves down a bowling alley.
(c) The Space Shuttle re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
(d) Kurt rides his skateboard.
(e) A surfer waxes her board, then goes surfing.
2
In rainy weather the radio sometimes announces that there is a wet weather alert. Why do motorists have
to be careful when the roads are wet?
3
Why do cars that travel in snow have to carry chains that fit around the tyres?
4
Why don't bicycle hand brakes work as well when it rains?

A friend has a problem with their skateboard wheels moving around. Can you suggest a way to fix
them? Why did you suggest this?