Gravity in Space: Why is Zero Gravity?

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SUMMARY

Zero gravity in space occurs due to the condition of free fall experienced by objects, such as satellites orbiting Earth. While gravitational forces from celestial bodies exist, they become negligible at significant distances. The absence of a resultant force between objects in a free-falling frame, like a satellite, creates the sensation of weightlessness. This phenomenon is primarily due to the uniform motion of both the satellite and its contents.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational forces and their effects
  • Familiarity with the concept of free fall
  • Basic knowledge of orbital mechanics
  • Awareness of tidal forces and their implications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of orbital mechanics and satellite motion
  • Explore the effects of tidal forces on celestial bodies
  • Study the concept of weightlessness in free-fall environments
  • Investigate the gravitational interactions between massive bodies in space
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Astronomy enthusiasts, physics students, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of gravity in space.

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Why there is zero gravity in space? Shouldn't there always be a resultant gravity in every point in the space from all the stars/planets in the universe?
 
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There is. Far from a massive body, it may be very less.

What force do you think makes the Earth go round the Sun or the moon round the earth?

There is zero gravity wrt to a frame in free fall. For example, in the satellites orbiting the earth, we see that effectively there is no gravity. That is because there is no relative force between the objects inside and the satellite (except for very minute tidal forces), because both are moving at the same rate.

Look up a recent thread which explains this in more detail.
 

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