Gravity
The force that attracts a body toward the center of the Earth, or toward any other physical body having mass.
While commonly understood as the force pulling things down, in physics, gravity is a fundamental interaction that causes all objects with mass or energy to be attracted to one another. Einstein's theory of General Relativity describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime.
Word relationships
- attraction: Gravity is a specific type of attractive force between masses.
- weight: Weight is the measure of the force of gravity acting on an object's mass.
- levity: Lightness, either physical or metaphorical (lack of seriousness).
- repulsion: A force that pushes objects apart, opposite to attraction.
Commonly confused with
- Weight: Gravity is the force; weight is the effect of that force on a mass.
Word family
- gravitational (adjective): relating to gravity
- gravitate (verb): to move toward or be attracted to something
- gravitas (noun): seriousness or solemnity of manner
Collocations
- zero gravity
- gravitational pull
- center of gravity
- law of gravity
- specific gravity
Idioms & expressions
- defy gravity
- gravitas (related concept of seriousness)
Example sentences
- "The Earth's gravity keeps the Moon in orbit and prevents objects from floating away into space." Explaining a natural phenomenon.
- "Astronauts experience weightlessness in space because they are in a constant state of freefall, not because there is no gravity." Discussing space travel.
- "Sir Isaac Newton formulated the law of universal gravitation after observing an apple fall from a tree." In a historical context.
Memory hook
Think of 'GRAVity' as the force that makes things 'GRAVe' (heavy) and fall to the ground. Pulls things down
When not to use
Avoid using 'gravity' to mean 'seriousness' or 'importance' in a scientific context, as these are distinct metaphorical uses of the word.
Fun facts
- The concept of gravity was first mathematically described by Sir Isaac Newton in his 'Principia Mathematica' in 1687.
- Black holes have such intense gravity that not even light can escape them.
Related words
Also appears in
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