Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:
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Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation 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.
The calculator uses Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation describes the attractive gravitational force between two objects with mass, which decreases with the square of the distance between them.
Details: Calculating gravitational forces is fundamental in physics, astronomy, and engineering. It helps understand planetary motion, satellite orbits, and the behavior of celestial bodies in the universe.
Tips: Enter the gravitational constant (typically 6.674×10⁻¹¹), both masses in kilograms, and the distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is the value of the gravitational constant?
A: The gravitational constant G is approximately 6.67430×10⁻¹¹ m³/kg/s².
Q2: Why is the force inversely proportional to the square of distance?
A: This inverse-square relationship occurs because gravitational influence spreads out in three-dimensional space, decreasing in intensity with distance squared.
Q3: Does this law apply to all objects?
A: Yes, it applies to all objects with mass, though the force becomes significant only when at least one mass is very large (like planetary bodies).
Q4: How accurate is this calculation for real-world applications?
A: For most practical purposes, it's highly accurate. For extreme precision (like GPS systems), general relativity corrections may be needed.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for electrical forces?
A: No, this is specifically for gravitational forces. Electrical forces follow Coulomb's law, which has a similar mathematical form but different constants.