Gravitational Force Physics Calculator

Gravitational Force Formula:

\[ F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2} \]

Gravitational Force (F):

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1. What is Gravitational Force?

Definition: Gravitational force is the attractive force between two objects with mass, described by Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.

Purpose: This calculator helps students, physicists, and engineers compute the gravitational attraction between two masses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2} \]

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

Details: Understanding gravitational force is fundamental in physics, astronomy, space exploration, and engineering projects involving orbital mechanics.

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 value reflects the weakness of gravity compared to other fundamental forces. It's small because gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental forces.

Q2: Does this work for celestial bodies?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to planets, stars, and other astronomical objects, though for very massive objects, relativistic effects may need consideration.

Q3: What's the range of gravitational force?
A: Gravitational force has infinite range, though it becomes negligible at large distances due to the inverse square law.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's accurate for classical physics problems. For extreme conditions (black holes, near light-speed), general relativity provides more accurate results.

Q5: Why does distance have such a big impact?
A: Because of the inverse square law - doubling the distance reduces the force by a factor of four.