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Gravitational Force Formula:
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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 the gravitational interaction between objects.
The formula is expressed as:
Where:
Explanation: The force is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Details: This fundamental force governs planetary motion, tides, and the structure of the universe. It's essential for space mission planning, satellite orbits, and understanding celestial mechanics.
Tips: Enter the masses of both objects in kilograms and their separation distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: The small value reflects the relative weakness of gravity compared to other fundamental forces. It means significant masses are needed to produce noticeable gravitational effects.
Q2: Does this formula work for any distance?
A: It works well for most astronomical distances but requires Einstein's General Relativity for extreme conditions near very massive objects or at near-light speeds.
Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Extremely accurate for most practical purposes, though extremely precise measurements might use the latest CODATA value for G (6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg²).
Q4: Why is the force so small between everyday objects?
A: Because of the tiny gravitational constant - the electromagnetic forces between atoms are typically much stronger for small objects.
Q5: Can I calculate Earth's gravity with this?
A: Yes, using Earth's mass (5.97 × 10²⁴ kg) and radius (6.371 × 10⁶ m) for one mass and distance, and your mass for the other.