Episode 43 – To Infinity And Beyond

 First, you will need to download the To Infinity And Beyond lab manual.

Let’s talk forces. No, not the force in Star Wars or forcing your sibling to watch your favourite show with you. Forces like gravity! Gravity is described in classical mechanics as a force that acts between two objects, pulling them together. Any object with mass exerts a gravitational force on other objects. We do not feel this force because many times the objects are too small.

Einstein has a different explanation, however. He states general relativity can describe gravity as the curvature of space-time fabric, which is caused by mass (as seen in the picture). So, large masses like the Earth cause a large curvature in space-time, whereas smaller masses like our bodies barely cause any curvature.

What is this curvature? And what does it mean for space? I thought there was no gravity in space? Mind = blown!

This episode will further blow your mind by discussing topics like rockets, black holes, and planets. We will explore why gravity works the ways it does and why Einstein probably has this one right through a great visual representation that can be done at home.

Saskatchewan Curriculum Connections: SS6.2: Assess the efficacy of various methods of representing and interpreting astronomical phenomena, including phases, eclipses, and seasons. EU9.1: Inquire into the motion and characteristics of astronomical bodies in our solar system and the universe. PH30-FI1: Investigate gravitational fields and their interactions with matter.