1. What is Gravitational Force?

Gravitational force is the attractive force between two masses, as described by Newton's law of universal gravitation. It is one of the four fundamental forces of nature and governs the motion of celestial bodies.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Newton's law of universal gravitation:

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 masses (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 Calculation

Details: Calculating gravitational force is essential for understanding orbital mechanics, predicting planetary motion, satellite deployment, and various astrophysical phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter masses in kilograms and distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers with distance greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the gravitational constant?
A: The gravitational constant (G) is a fundamental physical constant that determines the strength of the gravitational force between objects.

Q2: Why is the force inversely proportional to the square of distance?
A: This inverse-square law relationship occurs because gravitational force spreads out in three-dimensional space, decreasing with the square of the distance.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation for real-world applications?
A: For most practical purposes, Newton's law provides excellent accuracy. For extreme precision (e.g., GPS systems), general relativity corrections may be needed.

Q4: Does this work for any size objects?
A: The formula works for point masses. For extended objects, the calculation requires integration over the volume, though for spherical symmetric objects, it simplifies to the same formula.

Q5: Why is gravitational force so weak compared to other forces?
A: Despite being the dominant force at cosmic scales, gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental forces due to the extremely small value of the gravitational constant.