Calculate Gravitational Force Between Objects

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:

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

Gravitational Force (F):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation?

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that every point mass attracts every other point mass by a force acting along the line intersecting both points. The force is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:

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

Where:

\( F \) — Gravitational force (newtons)
\( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg²)
\( m_1 \) — Mass of first object (kg)
\( m_2 \) — Mass of second object (kg)
\( r \) — Distance between centers of the masses (meters)

Explanation: The equation shows that gravitational force increases with larger masses and decreases rapidly with greater distance (inverse square law).

3. Importance of Gravitational Force

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter masses in kilograms and distance in meters. All values must be positive (distance must be greater than zero). Results are shown in newtons (N).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: The gravitational force between everyday objects is extremely weak compared to other fundamental forces. The small value reflects this weakness.

Q2: Does this work for any distance?
A: The equation works well for point masses or spherical objects. For very small distances (quantum scales) or very large masses (black holes), general relativity is needed.

Q3: Why is distance squared in the equation?
A: This inverse-square law reflects how gravitational influence spreads out over an expanding spherical surface area.

Q4: Can this calculate Earth's gravity?
A: Yes, using Earth's mass (5.972 × 10²⁴ kg) and Earth's radius (6.371 × 10⁶ m) for distance gives ~9.81 m/s² acceleration at surface.

Q5: How accurate is this for real-world calculations?
A: Extremely accurate for most applications, though general relativity provides more precise results in strong gravitational fields.