Understanding Gravity

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What is the primary reason that planets and stars are roughly spherical in shape?

The collision and merging of smaller objects

The radial gravitational attraction toward the center of mass (correct)

The uniform distribution of mass within the object

The increase in rotational speed over time

How does the rotational speed of a planet or star affect its shape?

Increased rotational speed causes the object to become more spherical (correct)

Rotational speed has no effect on the shape of the object

Increased rotational speed causes the object to become more irregular in shape

Increased rotational speed causes the object to become more elliptical

What is the relationship between a celestial body's mass distribution and its shape?

The shape of a celestial body is independent of its mass distribution

The more the mass is distributed toward the edges, the more spherical the shape

The more concentrated the mass at the center, the more spherical the shape (correct)

The more uniform the mass distribution, the more spherical the shape

How does the concept of an ice skater spinning more quickly when their arms are brought closer to their body relate to the shape of planets and stars?

It explains why planets and stars become more spherical as they spin faster Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of gravitational attraction in determining the shape of planets and stars?

Radial gravitational attraction toward the center of mass is the primary reason planets and stars are roughly spherical Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the strength of gravity between two objects?

The mass of the objects Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about gravitational fields is true?

All objects have a gravitational field around them Signup and view all the answers

What keeps planets and moons in orbit?

The gravitational force Signup and view all the answers

How does the strength of gravity in the solar system compare to gravity on a single planet?

Solar system gravity follows the same principles as planetary gravity Signup and view all the answers

What determines an object's weight?

The object's mass and the strength of gravity Signup and view all the answers

According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, what is the relationship between the gravitational force and the masses of the two objects involved?

The gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of the two masses. Signup and view all the answers

Why do planets orbit the Sun instead of the other way around?

The Sun has a stronger gravitational field than the planets. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which smaller objects collided and stuck together to form larger objects in the early solar system called?

Accretion Signup and view all the answers

According to Newton's law of gravitation, how does the gravitational force between two objects change as the distance between them increases?

The gravitational force decreases inversely with the square of the distance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why we feel Earth's gravity but not the gravitational fields of other planets?

We are much closer to Earth than to other planets. Signup and view all the answers

Understanding Gravity

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