Universal gravitation
principle · 1687 · Early modern era
Newton’s law of gravitation.
Author: Robert Hooke.
Principles and materials it uses
- Torsion balance — uses. The Cavendish experiment — weighing the Earth.
Where it is used
- Orbital motion — is used in. Gravity sets the orbit.
- Pendulum — is used in. The restoring force is gravity.
- Gravity flow — is used in. It flows downhill under gravity.
- Hydroelectric power station — is used in. The energy of falling water.
- Pumped-storage station — is used in. Energy is stored as the height of water.
- Tidal power station — is used in. Tides are caused by the Moon’s gravity.
- Spirit level — is used in. The bubble rises to the highest point.
- Plumb bob — is used in. The string hangs vertical.
- Anchor — is used in. Weight and grip on the seabed.
- Warp-weighted loom — is used in. The warp threads are tensioned by weights.
- Pile driver — is used in. A falling weight.
- Levee — is used in. The weight of the embankment holds back the water.
- Water tower — is used in. Pressure from height.
- Dumbbell — is used in. Weight.
- Pin tumbler lock — is used in. The pins drop into holes in the bolt under their own weight.
- Quadrant — is used in. The angle is read against a plumb line.
- Escapement — is used in. The pace of the clock is set by a falling weight.
- Anchor escapement — is used in. The pace is set by a pendulum under gravity.
- Mortar (weapon) — is used in. The bomb flies on a steep trajectory.
- Dam — is used in. Stability through its own weight.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Kepler’s laws — evolved from. Newton derived gravitation from Kepler’s laws.
What it is a kind of
- Newton’s laws — is a kind of. Part of Newtonian mechanics.