1. What is the Gravitational Force Formula?

Definition: This formula calculates the attractive force between two masses as described by 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)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg²)
• \( m_1 \) — Mass of first object (kg)
• \( m_2 \) — Mass of second object (kg)
• \( r \) — Distance between centers of mass (meters)

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 celestial mechanics, satellite orbits, 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 decreases with the square of the distance between objects.

Q3: How small is the gravitational force between everyday objects?
A: Extremely small - for example, two 100kg people 1m apart experience about 0.000000667 N of force.

Q4: Does this formula work for very large distances?
A: For astronomical distances, general relativity provides more accurate results, but Newton's formula is often sufficient.

Q5: Why are the results in scientific notation?
A: Because gravitational forces between small objects are extremely weak, often requiring scientific notation for readable display.