bbc.com
Gravity's Pull: Minuscule Attraction Between People and Weight Variations Across Earth
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation calculates the minuscule gravitational attraction between two 70kg people as 3.27 x 10^-7 Newtons; however, weight varies slightly across Earth due to rotation, geological composition, and distance from the core, with a 0.3% difference observed between the North Pole and Mount Huascarán in Peru.
- What is the magnitude of the gravitational attraction between two individuals, and what does this reveal about the nature of gravity?
- The gravitational attraction between two 70kg people standing one meter apart is approximately 3.27 x 10^-7 Newtons, a minuscule force. However, this calculation demonstrates that all objects with mass exert gravitational pull on each other.
- How does the Earth's rotation and varied geological composition affect the measurement of an individual's weight at different locations?
- Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation allows calculation of gravitational attraction between any two objects, regardless of size or location. This explains why we are constantly gravitationally attracted to everything around us, though most forces are insignificant.
- Considering the seemingly insignificant gravitational pull between people, what are the broader implications of universal gravitation and its variations across the Earth's surface?
- While the force of gravitational attraction between people is negligible, the principle highlights the universality of gravity. Variations in gravitational acceleration across the Earth's surface, influenced by factors like altitude and geological density, result in minor weight differences, as seen by the 0.3% difference between the North Pole and Mount Huascarán.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is primarily descriptive and explanatory, aiming to answer the reader's questions about gravity. The use of questions in the introduction creates an engaging format, but doesn't inherently favor a particular viewpoint.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the physics of gravity and its effects on weight, neglecting other factors that might influence attraction between people, such as psychological and social aspects. While this omission is understandable given the article's focus, it limits the scope of the discussion on attraction.