could people live on a planet bigger or smaller than our own?

Question

or would the different gravity harm us

Answer 1

The different gravity would make it difficult for us to live, that is for sure but our bodies would adjust after some generations. And the dirrerent air composition should be considered as well.
Now, if that other planet was a lot similar to earth but bigger, then we would have more space and everyone would be happier.
Recent studies showed that we are using up earth's resources 3 times more than we should, so we need a planet three times our own!

Answer 2

That would depend upon both the size and mass of the planet. The greater the mass of the planet and the smaller its radius, the nearer you would be to the center of a greater mass than on earth. The strength of human muscles may not be strong enough to hold a human erect against the gravitational attraction. Also the required energy to lift off again would be far greater than on earth and there could be no escape.

If the planet has a greater radius and less mass than on earth the gravitational attraction may be far less at its surface than for earth and the planet may not be able to hold onto its atmosphere, even if it included oxygen.

Of course a planet composed of mostly compressed gas would provide little footing (except in a lighter 'balloon' filled with a vacuum?) and would likely be inhospitable.

Earth has a lot of advantages we may not even appreciate.

Answer 3

Our bodies are designed for life on Earth. However, they’d be able to cope on a planet slightly larger or smaller than our own. If humans tried to land on a much larger planet, say Jupiter, they’d be reduced to pancakes by the tremendous force of gravity. If, on the other hand, the planet is too small, the size of an asteroid for example (even though, technically speaking, an asteroid cannot qualify as planet on account of its size), one leap and you’d fly into space.

In theory, you’d expect creatures that have evolved on a larger planet to be much stubbier and heavy-boned than earthlings, whilst those that have evolved on a smaller planet would tend to be much taller and delicate than us.

Besides the issue of gravity, however, there are other parameters you should take into consideration. Small planets, for example, cannot sustain an atmosphere and would, therefore, be uninhabitable.

Answer 4

The strength of the gravitational field, as a direct factor, is very minor. It's very easy to adapt to. You'd want enough gravity to hold an atmosphere, and enough magnetosphere to keep the solar wind from sweeping away the atmosphere and bombarding you with excessive radiation. All the other environmental factors are much more important.

Answer 5

WE could survive as long as the planet size is within limits. Too small = not enough atmosphere pressure. Too big and we'd break our legs trying to walk.