Earth’s Gravitational force

The Earth attracts all objects towards its centre due to gravitational force. The centre of mass of the Earth is at its geometric centre, so the gravitational force on any object is always directed toward the centre of the Earth.

• This force causes objects to fall vertically downward when dropped.
• When a stone is thrown upwards, gravity pulls it down, gradually reducing its velocity. Eventually, the velocity becomes zero, and the stone starts falling back due to Earth's pull.

Gravitational Force and the Moon/Satellites:

• The Earth’s gravity also acts on the Moon and artificial satellites, keeping them in orbit.
• Unlike a falling object, the Moon and satellites do not crash into Earth because they have a forward velocity along their orbits.
• If this velocity did not exist, they would fall directly onto Earth, just like an apple falling from a tree.

Thus, the balance between Earth’s gravitational pull and the orbital velocity keeps the Moon and satellites in continuous motion around Earth.