WeWow on the Weekend (1/5/25)

Earth's Gravity

The strength of Earth's gravity is a powerful force that affects everything from shoelaces to roller coasters. Guy Raz explains that when you throw something into the air, it falls back at a speed of 9.8 meters per second, similar to the length of a school bus 1. This force is so strong that it can loosen shoelaces, as engineers discovered using high-speed cameras to capture the movement of laces during a run 2.

Every time the runner's foot hit the ground, it created such a powerful force. A force greater than seven times the force of gravity.

--- Guy Raz

This immense force is akin to the experience of riding the fastest roller coaster in America, Kingda Ka, which reaches speeds comparable to a falling human at terminal velocity 1.

   

Gravity in Space

Gravity varies significantly across different celestial bodies, influencing how objects fall and move. On larger planets like Jupiter, gravity is much stronger than on Earth, whereas on smaller planets like Mercury, it's weaker 1. Guy Raz notes that on the Moon, gravity is so weak that objects fall much slower, creating a floating effect 1.

Gravity is an invisible force all around us here on planet Earth. And it's why we don't just float up into space.

--- Guy Raz

This comparison helps us understand the concept of G-force, which is experienced on roller coasters and even by our shoelaces as they endure forces greater than gravity during a simple walk 3.