What Is Micro gravity?
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Gravity is a force that
governs motion throughout the universe. It holds us to the ground and
keeps the Earth in orbit around the Sun. Micro gravity describes the
environment in orbital space flight, which has very weak gravitational
effects (one-millionth of what is felt on Earth) and which is sometimes
referred to as a state of 'weightlessness.' The condition of micro gravity occurs when an object is in 'free fall.' In free fall, an
object falls faster and faster, accelerating with exactly the speed of
attraction caused by gravity. Objects traveling around the Earth in a
state of continuous free fall, or orbit, are essentially weightless
even though their mass remains the same.
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![A simple example of microgravity's effect in combustion is the behavior of flames in space. On Earth, hot air rises around a candle flame, which causes the flame to flicker and take on an elongated shape. In microgravity, however, no such distortion takes place. The flame, without the effects of gravity, has a steady, spherical, shape.](http://www.scienceiq.com/Images/FactsImages/fs007_fig3.jpg)
Conducting research in a micro gravity environment gives researchers a unique opportunity to study the true nature of processes and materials without having to consider the effects of Earth's gravity. Thus, physics theories can be tested at levels of accuracy that are impossible on Earth. Micro gravity experiments uncover the mystery of how gravity affects processes such as combustion science and fluid physics. This knowledge can then help to improve the way we do things on Earth.