X

Why don't you float in an elevator?

A charming little animation from TED explains how gravity works when you're riding in an elevator.

Michelle Starr Science editor
Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.
Michelle Starr

(Screenshot by Michelle Starr/CNET Australia)

A charming little animation from TED explains how gravity works when you're riding in an elevator.

Everyone knows that person who jumps when the elevator begins its descend to see whether they'll hover in the air this time.

It never happens, though. But why not? Why don't you weigh less when you're descending and more when you're ascending?

Sure, we could tell you the answer, but then you'd miss out on this cute, easy-to-understand animated video by physicist Carol Hedden and animator Andy London for TED.

Even better, you can also head over to the TED lessons page for more information and resources for learning all about the mysterious force that we call gravity.

Via exp.lore.com