General question about gravity.

On the other hand, if the Earth's radius is halved, your weight would be 4 times greater.In summary, according to Newton's Law of gravity, the strength of gravity is dependent on distance and not just mass. This means that if the Earth had a different volume or density, your weight would change depending on your distance from the center of the Earth. If the Earth had three times its current diameter, your weight would be 9 times less, and if it had half its current diameter, your weight would be 4 times greater.
  • #1
syano
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Is the strength of gravity dependant on other things besides mass such as volume or density? For instance, if our Earth had three times the diameter as it does now but contained the same amount of matter would I weigh any more or less? Or if our Earth had half the diameter as it does now would I weigh the same?

Thank you,
 
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  • #2
Newton's Law of gravity

Yes, gravitational attraction depends on distance. Your weight on the Earth's surface is related to your distance from the Earth's center according to Newton's Law of gravity:
[tex]F = G\frac{Mm}{R^2}[/tex]
where M = mass of Earth, m = mass of you, and R = radius of Earth (treating the Earth as symmetrical ball). G is a constant.

So if you keep the Earth's mass (M) the same, but triple its radius, your weight would be 9 times less.
 

1. What is gravity?

Gravity is a natural phenomenon by which all physical bodies with mass are brought towards one another. It is the force that pulls objects towards the center of the Earth.

2. How does gravity work?

Gravity works by the principle of mass attracting mass. The larger the mass of an object, the more gravitational force it has and the more it pulls on other objects around it.

3. Who discovered gravity?

Sir Isaac Newton is credited with discovering the concept of gravity in the 17th century. He famously explained it in his laws of motion.

4. What affects the strength of gravity?

The strength of gravity is affected by two main factors: the mass of the objects involved and the distance between them. The greater the mass and the closer the distance, the stronger the gravitational force.

5. Can gravity be manipulated or controlled?

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature and cannot be manipulated or controlled by humans. However, we can use technology and physics to counteract the effects of gravity in certain situations, such as in space travel.

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