Physics
Thinking There Is No Gravity in Space
Believing astronauts float because there is no gravity in orbit.
Quick check
Why students make it
Astronauts are seen floating, so it looks like gravity has switched off in space.
The rule done right
Gravity is still strong in low orbit, about 90 percent of its surface value. Astronauts float because they are in free fall, continuously falling around Earth with their spacecraft.
Related resources
-
Physics: Weightlessness in Orbit Infographic -
Physics: Orbital Velocity and Satellites Infographic -
Gravity: Why Things Fall Infographic -
Physics: Free Fall and g Infographic -
Physics: Gravitational Field Lines Infographic - Gravitation & Orbits Cheat Sheet
- Free Fall & Gravitational Acceleration Cheat Sheet
- Newton's Laws & Forces Cheat Sheet
- Free Body Diagrams Reference Cheat Sheet
- Kinematics Equations Cheat Sheet
- Physics: Gravitational Fields and Orbital Mechanics Worksheet
- Physics: Newton's Laws: Free Body Diagrams and Net Force Worksheet
- Escape Velocity Launcher Tool
- How Fast Are You Moving Right Now Tool
- Forces & Free-Body Diagram Tool Tool
- Projectile Motion Calculator Tool
- Gravity & Orbits Lab Lab
- Gravity & Falling Objects Lab Lab
- Pendulum Lab Lab
- Newton's First Law Lab Lab