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

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.

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 equation describes the attractive gravitational force between any two objects with mass in the universe.

3. Importance of Gravitational Force Calculation

Details: Calculating gravitational forces is fundamental in astrophysics, orbital mechanics, and understanding celestial motions. It helps predict planetary orbits, satellite trajectories, and tidal effects.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter masses in kilograms, distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers. The gravitational constant is fixed at 6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻².

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the gravitational constant?
A: The gravitational constant (G) is a fundamental physical constant that appears in Newton's law of universal gravitation. 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 occurs because gravitational influence spreads out in three-dimensional space, decreasing in intensity as the area over which it spreads increases.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation for real-world applications?
A: For most practical purposes, Newton's law provides excellent accuracy. However, for extremely strong gravitational fields or high precision requirements, Einstein's general relativity provides more accurate results.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for astronomical calculations?
A: Yes, this calculator can be used to calculate gravitational forces between celestial bodies, though astronomical scales may require scientific notation for input values.

Q5: What are typical gravitational force values?
A: Gravitational forces vary enormously - from microscopic forces between small objects to enormous forces between celestial bodies. The result is expressed in newtons (N).