1. What is the Gravitational Force Equation Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the gravitational force between two objects using Newton's law of universal gravitation.

Purpose: It helps physicists, astronomers, and students understand and calculate the attractive force between any two masses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Gravitational force (Newtons)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.674 × 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 (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 celestial mechanics, satellite orbits, and fundamental physics research.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the masses of both objects in kilograms, the distance between them in meters, and the gravitational constant (default 6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg²). 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 gravitation.

Q2: Why is the force so small for everyday objects?
A: Because G is extremely small (6.674 × 10⁻¹¹), so you need planetary-scale masses to get noticeable forces.

Q3: Does this work for any distance?
A: It works for all distances where relativistic effects are negligible (not near black holes).

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's exact for point masses or perfect spheres; for irregular objects it gives an approximation.

Q5: What's the gravitational force between me and Earth?
A: That's your weight! Use Earth's mass (5.972 × 10²⁴ kg) and radius (6.371 × 10⁶ m) to calculate.