Gravitational Force Formula:
From: | To: |
Definition: This equation calculates the gravitational force between two masses based on Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.
Purpose: It helps physicists, astronomers, and students understand and calculate the attractive force between any two objects with mass.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The force is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Details: Understanding gravitational forces is essential for celestial mechanics, satellite orbits, and fundamental physics research.
Tips: Enter both masses in kg, distance between objects in meters, and gravitational constant (default 6.674×10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg²). All values must be > 0.
Q1: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: The small value reflects the weakness of gravity compared to other fundamental forces, requiring massive objects to produce noticeable effects.
Q2: Does this work for any distance?
A: The equation works for all distances where relativistic effects are negligible (not extremely massive objects or near-light speeds).
Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Very accurate for most applications, though Einstein's General Relativity provides more precise results in extreme conditions.
Q4: Can I calculate the force between planets?
A: Yes, just use their masses and center-to-center distance. The calculator can handle very large numbers.
Q5: Why is distance squared in the equation?
A: This inverse-square law reflects how gravitational influence spreads over spherical surfaces as distance increases.