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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 gravitational formula:
Where:
Explanation: The force between two objects increases with their masses and decreases with the square of the distance between them.
Details: This fundamental force governs planetary motion, tides, and the structure of the universe. It's essential for understanding astrophysics, orbital mechanics, and many Earth-based phenomena.
Tips: Enter masses in kilograms and distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers (distance must be greater than zero).
Q1: Why is the gravitational constant so small?
A: The gravitational force is extremely weak compared to other fundamental forces, which is reflected in the small value of G (6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg²).
Q2: Does this work for any two objects?
A: Yes, the law applies to all objects with mass, though the force becomes negligible for everyday objects due to their small masses.
Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's accurate for point masses or spherical objects. For irregular shapes, integration over the volume is needed.
Q4: What about Einstein's theory of relativity?
A: Newton's law is an excellent approximation except in extreme gravitational fields or at velocities approaching light speed.
Q5: Why does distance have a squared relationship?
A: The inverse-square law comes from how gravitational influence spreads out in three-dimensional space.