Physical concept · Physics
Gravity
Cosmology & UniverseEstablished Science
Definition
The universal attraction between masses that governs the motion of everything from apples to galaxies.
Scientific overview
Newton described gravity as a force between masses; Einstein reframed it as the curvature of spacetime by mass and energy. On cosmic scales gravity shapes the growth of structure and the dynamics of the Universe as a whole.
Rests on
Related topics
Knowledge connections
- Related toSpacetime
- Related toQuantum Gravity
- Depends onGeneral Relativity
- Related toEscape Velocity
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.