1. What is the Gravitational Force Equation?

Definition: This equation calculates the attractive force between two masses according to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.

Purpose: It helps physicists, astronomers, and engineers understand and predict gravitational interactions between objects.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Gravitational force (Newtons, N)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg²)
• \( m_1 \) — Mass of first object (kilograms, kg)
• \( m_2 \) — Mass of second object (kilograms, kg)
• \( r \) — Distance between centers of mass (meters, m)

Explanation: The force is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

3. Importance of Gravitational Force Calculation

Details: Understanding gravitational forces is crucial for orbital mechanics, astrophysics, and any system where gravity plays a significant role.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the masses of both objects in kilograms and their separation distance in meters. Distance must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: The small value reflects the relative weakness of gravity compared to other fundamental forces at small scales.

Q2: Does this work for any distance?
A: The equation works for all distances, but for very small scales or very strong fields, Einstein's General Relativity is needed.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Extremely accurate for most practical purposes, assuming point masses or spherical symmetry.

Q4: Can I calculate Earth's gravity with this?
A: Yes, using Earth's mass (5.97 × 10²⁴ kg) and radius (6.371 × 10⁶ m) gives ~9.81 m/s² acceleration at the surface.

Q5: Why is the force so small between everyday objects?
A: Because the gravitational constant is extremely small, making gravity negligible unless at least one mass is planetary in scale.