Gravity and Weight
- Gravity requires air: The misconception that gravity is caused by atmospheric
pressure or that there is no gravity in a vacuum (or on the Moon) because there
is no air. - Heavy objects fall faster: The belief that weight affects the acceleration of free-
fall in a vacuum, often due to confusion with air resistance. - Gravity stops at the atmosphere: The idea that gravity only exists on Earth
and doesn’t act on satellites or the Moon. - Weight and Mass are the same: Using the terms interchangeably; not realizing
mass is the amount of “stuff” and weight is a force. - Floating means no gravity: The belief that gravity does not act on objects that
are floating in water or orbiting in space (confusing weightlessness with zero-
gravity).
