Vocab 1
the force of attraction between any two bodies in the universe
gravitational force
measurement of the effect of gravity on a given mass
weight
round, ball-shaped; having a surface having a surface equally distant from the center at all points
spherical
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and _______?
moon
in order to be a planet, an object must be round, orbit the sun, and _________?
control other objects in its region
an icy chunk of rock from a region of space beyond the orbit of Neptune
comet
having the shape of an oval or flattened circle
elliptical
to steer or follow a planned cource
navigate
True or false: Spring tides only happen in the spring
False
Planets don't crash into each other because ____________?
gravitational force and inertia are balanced
the force that tends to push an object outward when it rotates around a center
centrifugal force
the process of becoming larger by adding more material
accretion
neap tide
True or False: Gravitational force is what keeps us from floating off the planet
true
True or false: our solar system began as a rotating disk of gas and dust
true
the path of an object moving through space
trajectory
the unchecked fall of an object
free fall
a tide that occurs twice a month and results in the greatest change in sea level
spring tide
What causes the changing sea levels?
the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun
What would have to happen in order for Earth to become a perfect sphere?
It would have to stop rotating
to unite; to grow together
coalesce
a property of matter that keeps an object moving in a straight line and at a constant speed
inertia
the rise and fall of sea level
tide
What is the bulge of the oceans called?
high tide
Circle is to round as oval is to _____________?
elliptical