What Is The Formula For Force Of Gravity

Gravitational Force Formula:

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

Gravitational Force (F):

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1. What is the Gravitational Force Formula?

Definition: Newton's law of universal gravitation calculates the attractive force between two masses.

Purpose: This fundamental physics equation helps understand celestial mechanics, satellite orbits, and gravitational interactions.

2. How Does the Formula Work?

The formula is:

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

Where:

\( F \) — Gravitational force (Newtons, N)
\( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67 × 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.

3. Importance of Gravitational Force

Details: This fundamental force governs planetary motion, tides, and the structure of the universe. It's essential for space mission planning and understanding astrophysical phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the masses of both objects in kilograms and their separation distance in meters. The gravitational constant is fixed at 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg².

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: The value reflects the relative weakness of gravity compared to other fundamental forces. It means significant masses are needed to produce measurable forces.

Q2: Does this work for any distance?
A: The formula applies to point masses or spherical objects at any distance, though extremely small distances may require quantum gravity considerations.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Extremely accurate for most applications, though Einstein's general relativity provides more precise results in strong gravitational fields.

Q4: What's a typical gravitational force between everyday objects?
A: Very small - for example, two 100kg people 1m apart experience about 0.000000667 N of force.

Q5: Why is the distance squared in the formula?
A: This inverse-square law reflects how gravity's influence spreads over an expanding spherical surface area as distance increases.