The Apple, the Moon, and Universal Gravitation
The The Apple and the Moon Video Tutorial explains how Newton derived his argument that gravity was the force that holds the moon in orbit. The inverse square law is introduced and the idea of the universal nature of gravity is emphasized. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations assist in the explanations.
The video lesson answers the following questions:
- How did Isaac Newton develop the idea of the universal law of gravitation?
- What is meant by the saying gravity is universal?
Video
You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:
Additional and Related Learning Tools
Concept Builders, Circular Motion and Satellite Motion section, Universal Gravitation
Concept Builders provide you an opportunity for practice with immediate feedback and opportunities for correction. A Help Me! button is available for each question.
Minds On Physics, Mssion CG6: Universal Gravitation
A Minds On Physics mission provides you a great workout in careful reading, analytical thinking, and conceptual reasoning. They're difficult but there's a Help button waiting to assist. If you endure the frustration of getting questions wrong, you will likely get it right on the test. That's a win!
Physics Interactives: Gravitational Fields Simulation
Many times the best way to learn is to play. This simulation allows you to do that - to play with the variables that affect graviational force. You can drag a planet around, change their masses, and observe the effect. A student-friendly activity sheet is available for classroom use.
The Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion Chapter: The Apple, the Moon, and the Inverse Square Law
The easy-to-understand language and common sense approach of our Tutorial pages makes it a great written reference when you need one.
Teacher Resources
Curriculum Corner, Circular Motion and Gravitation
Get students active and thinking with our free Think Sheets from the Curriclum Corner section of our website. The following two Think Sheets are a reasonably good fit to this video and the one that follows in the series on Circular and Satellite Motion:
Universal Gravitation
The Inverse Square Law of Universal Gravitation
Teacher Toolkits, Universal Gravitation
Try a Teacher Toolkit ... you might be very glad that you did. Each toolkit includes annotated links to vetted resources from across the web that we feel reliably support the specific topic. Give this one on universal gravitation a try.
Concept Builders, Circular Motion and Satellite Motion section, Universal Gravitation
Concept Builders provide students an opportunity for practice with immediate feedback and opportunities for correction. A Help Me! button is available for each question. This one on Universal Gravitation supports this video and the next one in our Tutorial series.
Minds On Physics, Mssion CG6: Universal Gravitation
A Minds On Physics mission provides students a great workout in close reading, analytical thinking, and conceptual reasoning. They're difficult but there's a Help button waiting to assist. Those who endure the frustration of getting questions wrong will come out of the exercise and get it right on the test. That's a win!
Physics Interactives: Gravitational Fields Simulation
Many times the best way to learn is to play. This simulation allows learners to do that - to play with the variables that affect graviational force. They can drag a planet around, change their masses, and observe its effect. A student-friendly activity sheet is available for classroom use.
The Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion Chapter: The Apple, the Moon, and the Inverse Square Law
This page from our written Tutorial section mirrors much of the video and is a great reference for students. Many teachers include a link to it on their course page.
Lesson Notes
Download (opens in a new tab) or view below
Slides
Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.