In: Physics
Gravity is the longest acting (in terms of distance) and the weakest of the four fundamental forces in the universe. If gravity is so weak, why does it affect all of our lives? Give an example of gravity working in your own life and the universe as a whole.
Despite being the weakest of the four fundamental forces, gravity has quite significant effect on our lives, on the way we live. Without gravity we wouldn't be able to walk on this planet, we have evolved with gravity and our body decays and grows according to it as well.
It not just helps us to be on the ground as (gravity is the force that cause attraction between the masses) but also,
it has a significant influence on our bodies too. Astranaut who went on space missions on their return were found to have grown taller and had lesser muscle mass as well as bone mass too. Without gravity force, it's found that protein synthesis and cellular metabolism is hindered.
Absence of gravity causes increase in pressure in the brain too.Thats because of the enhanced blood retention on the upper body. Muscle and bone mass decrease as the cells responsible for the bone growth are suppressed in absence of gravity and cells responsible for decaying the bone becomes more active.
In the universe gravity is what is holding the planets around their orbits.
The moon is in its orbit because of gravity only. Ocean tides also are the effects of gravity since the gravitational pull from moon for the seas cause tides.The sun's gravity keeps earth orbiting around it and there by helping us get a comfortable environment from sun's light and warmth at a distance. gravity holds the atmosphere too that we breath in.
These are some examples of gravity in our lives and Universe.