A gravity well, simply put, is the "sphere of influence" of a body's gravity.
You might have seen a demonstration where someone will place a heavy object, such as a bowling ball, onto an outstretched piece of fabric such as a trampoline. The weight of the ball distorts the fabric downwards. That distortion represents a gravity well. A smaller sphere, such as a marble is then tossed across the edge of the well. The marble will slowly spiral around and around the well as it is steadily drawn closer to the bowling ball. This represents how gravity causes an orbit.
[This message has been edited by williegoat (edited 11-03-2018).]
A gravity well, simply put, is the "sphere of influence" of a body's gravity.
You might have seen a demonstration where someone will place a heavy object, such as a bowling ball, onto an outstretched piece of fabric such as a trampoline. The weight of the ball distorts the fabric downwards. That distortion represents a gravity well. A smaller sphere, such as a marble is then tossed across the edge of the well. The marble will slowly spiral around and around the well as it is steadily drawn closer to the bowling ball. This represents how gravity causes an orbit.
Ahhh… ok, totally get it now. Basically the gravitational pull by other celestial bodies!
A gravity well, simply put, is the "sphere of influence" of a body's gravity.
You might have seen a demonstration where someone will place a heavy object, such as a bowling ball, onto an outstretched piece of fabric such as a trampoline. The weight of the ball distorts the fabric downwards. That distortion represents a gravity well. A smaller sphere, such as a marble is then tossed across the edge of the well. The marble will slowly spiral around and around the well as it is steadily drawn closer to the bowling ball. This represents how gravity causes an orbit.
Now, imagine that same graphical example, only simultaneously eminating from all points of the sphere that is the planet......
Now, imagine that same graphical example, only simultaneously eminating from all points of the sphere that is the planet......
It gets complicated in a big way....
Exactly. Got in an argument with a guy on facebook (shocker I know) as he claimed there was no gravity in space... I blame the media for making it look like if a ship gets out of our atmosphere it'll float forever.
Exactly. Got in an argument with a guy on facebook (shocker I know) as he claimed there was no gravity in space... I blame the media for making it look like if a ship gets out of our atmosphere it'll float forever.
Like, once you jump off a bridge you are no-where. (other post reference)
Exactly. Got in an argument with a guy on facebook (shocker I know) as he claimed there was no gravity in space... I blame the media for making it look like if a ship gets out of our atmosphere it'll float forever.
It is the infinite reach of gravity that holds galaxies together and prevents disgraced, ex-planet Pluto from wandering off in shame. Pluto, the Bill Cosby of planets. I blame the Democrats.
[This message has been edited by williegoat (edited 11-05-2018).]
