What Is Force Of Gravitation

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 any two objects with mass. It's one of the four fundamental forces of nature.

Purpose: This calculator computes the gravitational force between two masses using Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.

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, 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 masses (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

Details: This fundamental force governs planetary motion, tides, and the structure of the universe. It's essential for orbital mechanics and astrophysics.

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. It takes planetary-sized masses to create noticeable gravitational effects.

Q2: Does this work for any distance?
A: Newton's formula works well for most situations, but for extremely strong gravitational fields or near light speeds, Einstein's General Relativity is needed.

Q3: Why is distance squared in the formula?
A: This inverse-square law reflects how gravity spreads out in three-dimensional space, decreasing with the square of the distance.

Q4: How does this relate to weight?
A: Your weight is the gravitational force between you and Earth. Use Earth's mass (5.972 × 10²⁴ kg) and radius (6.371 × 10⁶ m) to calculate it.

Q5: Can this calculate orbital periods?
A: Combined with centripetal force equations, yes. The orbital period depends on the masses and distance between objects.