1. What is the Gravitational Force Formula?

Definition: This formula calculates the attractive force between two masses based on 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 essential for orbital mechanics, astrophysics, and many engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the gravitational constant (G)?
A: It's a fundamental physical constant that determines the strength of gravity in Newton's law of universal gravitation.

Q2: Why is the distance squared in the formula?
A: This reflects the inverse-square law nature of gravity - force weakens with the square of the distance.

Q3: Does this work for any size objects?
A: Yes, as long as you use the distance between their centers of mass and the objects aren't extremely massive or dense (where general relativity would apply).

Q4: Why are the results so small for everyday objects?
A: Because G is extremely small, the gravitational force between everyday objects is negligible compared to other forces like electromagnetism.

Q5: How is this different from Earth's gravity?
A: Earth's surface gravity (9.81 m/s²) is a special case of this formula where one mass is Earth and r is Earth's radius.