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Why do objects fly?

Updated: 6/30/2023
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Wiki User

13y ago

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Objects are in "freefall" when the only force on them is gravity (or none at all). When you stand on the ground there are two forces on you; gravity pulling down and the ground pushing up. When a satellite is put into orbit the engines give it a sideways boost then turn off. If Earth's gravity were not there it would move along that sideways direction and fly off into space. But gravity is there and pulls it down as it also moves sideways, so its in "freefall" . Since the Earth is a sphere the ground curves away faster then the satellite drops so it makes an orbit. Now everything on the satellite is in freefall exactly the same. So if you were standing on the satellite its surface would not push up on you (like the ground does on earth) because you and the satellite are both falling together. Also if you dropped your keys they would just hang there in front of you because they would fall exactly as you are falling. This all gives the sense of weightlessness.

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15y ago
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12y ago

The impression of "weight" is the RESISTANCE to gravity; if you are falling freely under the influence of gravity, you're not resisting it. So satellites in space, or objects INSIDE satellites in space, are in "free-fall" - they are not resisting gravity. So you feel weightless.

If you go snorkeling or Scuba diving, you are floating, your body is supported by your buoyancy in the water. You aren't resisting gravity; the water does that for you. So you feel weightless in the water. Which is one of the reasons why NASA trains astronauts in Swimming Pools!

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Wiki User

14y ago

I think that the answer is: ----- :)

Wind resistance?

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13y ago

Hot air Balloons, Kites, Parachutes, birds, air planes, hang gliders, gliders (plane type) etc.

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13y ago

falling objects can't fall without gravity, so that is the same thing

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13y ago

-- its acceleration is constant

-- its speed is proportional to the length of time it falls

-- the distance it falls is proportional to the square of the time it falls

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Wiki User

14y ago

The pull of the Earth is called "Gravity"

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