1. What is the Gravitational Force Equation?

The Gravitational Force Equation, also known as Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, describes the attractive force between two objects with mass. It states that every particle attracts every other particle in the universe with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gravitational force equation:

Where:

• \( F \) — Gravitational force (N)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻²)
• \( m_1 \) — Mass of first object (kg)
• \( m_2 \) — Mass of second object (kg)
• \( r \) — Distance between centers of mass (m)

Explanation: The equation calculates the attractive force between any two objects with mass, from subatomic particles to celestial bodies.

3. Importance of Gravitational Force Calculation

Details: Understanding gravitational forces is fundamental to physics, astronomy, and space exploration. It helps explain planetary motion, tides, and the structure of the universe.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter masses in kilograms and distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers. The distance should be measured between the centers of mass of the two objects.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the gravitational constant G?
A: The gravitational constant is a fundamental physical constant that determines the strength of the gravitational force between objects. Its value is approximately 6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻².

Q2: Why is the force inversely proportional to the square of distance?
A: This inverse-square relationship means that as distance doubles, the gravitational force decreases by a factor of four. This pattern emerges from the three-dimensional nature of space.

Q3: Does this equation work for all objects?
A: The equation works well for point masses and spherical objects. For irregular shapes, the calculation becomes more complex and may require integration.

Q4: How significant is gravitational force between everyday objects?
A: For everyday objects, gravitational force is extremely weak compared to other forces like electromagnetic forces. It becomes significant only when at least one object has planetary-scale mass.

Q5: How does this relate to Einstein's theory of general relativity?
A: Newton's law is an excellent approximation for most practical purposes, but general relativity provides a more complete description of gravity, especially in strong gravitational fields or at very high precision.