gravity
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gravity
The physical force that causes two masses to attract each other. On Earth, it makes objects fall to the ground and have weight.
Auf dem Mond ist die Schwerkraft viel geringer als auf der Erde.
On the Moon, gravity is much weaker than on Earth.
'Schwerkraft' (gravity) is a compound noun made up of 'schwer' (heavy) and 'die Kraft' (force). So it literally describes a 'heavy force' or the force that makes things heavy and pulls them to the ground.
Ohne die Schwerkraft würden wir alle schweben.
Without gravity, we would all float.
Common verbs used in connection with gravity are 'die Schwerkraft überwinden' (to overcome gravity), 'der Schwerkraft trotzen' (to defy gravity), or 'die Schwerkraft spüren' (to feel gravity). People also often talk about the 'Gesetze der Schwerkraft' (laws of gravity).
Raketen müssen die Schwerkraft der Erde überwinden, um ins All zu fliegen.
Rockets have to overcome Earth's gravity in order to fly into space.
Although 'Schwerkraft' (gravity) is a technical term from physics, the word is also used generally in everyday language to describe the Earth's force of attraction.
Der Apfel fällt wegen der Schwerkraft vom Baum.
The apple falls from the tree because of gravity.
attraction
Schwerkraft is the usual everyday term for the force that makes objects fall downward on Earth. Anziehungskraft is broader and can refer to any physical attraction between bodies, including attraction caused by gravity or magnetism. When an object falls on Earth, Schwerkraft is usually the appropriate term.
Die Schwerkraft lässt den Ball fallen, sobald ich ihn loslasse.
Gravity makes the ball fall as soon as I let go of it.
Die Anziehungskraft zwischen Erde und Ball lässt den Ball fallen, sobald ich ihn loslasse.
The attraction between the Earth and the ball makes the ball fall as soon as I let go of it.
