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In Physics / High School | 2014-07-23

The Universal Law of Gravity states that the force of gravity acts between all objects. Nonetheless, you never feel that the fridge in your kitchen pulls you toward it. Why?

Asked by goner

Answer (2)

If your mass is 50 kg (you weigh 110 pounds), and the mass of the refrigerator is 100 kg (it weighs 220 pounds), and you're standing so that the center of the frig and the center of you are 1 meter apart (about 3 feet), then the force of gravity between you and the frig is about 0.0000012 ounce. That's why.

Answered by AL2006 | 2024-06-10

The force of gravity between you and the fridge is negligible because it is extremely small compared to the gravitational force exerted by Earth on you. Using the formula for gravitational force, we find that this force is approximately 0.0000012 ounces, which is not enough for you to feel. Therefore, while gravity does act between you and the fridge, it is too weak to notice due to the much stronger gravitational force from Earth.
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Answered by AL2006 | 2025-06-15