1. What is the Gravitational Force Formula?

Definition: This formula 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 Formula Work?

The formula is:

Where:

• \( F \) — Gravitational force (Newtons, N)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67430 × 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 space missions, satellite orbits, planetary motion, and many engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the masses of both objects in kilograms and their separation distance in meters. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: The small value reflects the weakness of gravity compared to other fundamental forces, requiring large masses to produce noticeable effects.

Q2: Does this formula work for any distance?
A: It works well for most astronomical distances, but for very strong gravitational fields, Einstein's General Relativity is needed.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Extremely accurate for most practical purposes, using the latest measured value of G.

Q4: Can I calculate Earth's gravity with this?
A: Yes, using Earth's mass (5.972 × 10²⁴ kg) and Earth's radius (6.371 × 10⁶ m) for one mass and distance.

Q5: Why is the force so small for everyday objects?
A: Because G is extremely small, and everyday masses are tiny compared to planetary masses.