Skip to main content

How to think about gravity - Jon Bergmann

  • 399,485 Views
  • 34,941 Questions Answered
  • TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Did you know that when you fall down, the earth falls up to meet you? Explore the counterintuitive equation that describes gravity.


Customize this lesson460

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Additional Resources for you to Explore
Gravity and magnetism follow the inverse square law. Do some research on the inverse square law and which other physical phenomena follow the inverse square law.

The force of gravity depends on three key factors: the mass of the larger object, the mass of the smaller object, and the distance between their two geometric centers. To learn the details of this relationship and how they work as a formula, check out this link.

And if you're still not convinced that gravity is important, click here (don't worry, clicking the link won't make you float away).

Using the universal law of gravitation, determine the force of gravity between a typical person and the Earth. Do research to find the appropriate constants and values.

Here is a video showing an experiment conducted on the moon. It's the famous Hammer and Feather experiment devised by Galileo.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

More from Before and After Einstein