UCSB Science Line
Sponge Spicules Nerve Cells Galaxy Abalone Shell Nickel Succinate X-ray Lens Lupine
UCSB Science Line
Home
How it Works
Ask a Question
Search Topics
Webcasts
Our Scientists
Science Links
Contact Information
Why doesn't the water from earth fall into space?
Question Date: 2013-02-27
Answer 1:

Good question! Water doesn’t fall into space from earth because of the earth’s gravity. Earth is very massive and has a strong gravitational field. It is pulling the water toward it and won’t let it go. Some matter does escape earth’s gravity and diffuse out into space. Light gases like hydrogen and helium can escape earth’s gravity if the gas molecules have a high enough energy in the stratosphere. Liquid water on the earth’s surface is held too tightly.



Click Here to return to the search form.

University of California, Santa Barbara Materials Research Laboratory National Science Foundation
This program is co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation and UCSB School-University Partnerships
Copyright © 2020 The Regents of the University of California,
All Rights Reserved.
UCSB Terms of Use