Gravitational Force Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the gravitational force calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Gravitational Force
grav_force = 6.6743e-11 * m1 * m2 / pow(r, 2)Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
m1 | Mass 1(kg) | 5.972e+24 |
m2 | Mass 2(kg) | 70 |
r | Distance Between Centers(m) | 6371000 |
How It Works
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
Every mass attracts every other mass with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Formula
F = G * m1 * m2 / r²
where G = 6.6743 x 10^-11 N·m²/kg² is the gravitational constant.
Worked Example
Weight of a 70 kg person on Earth's surface (Earth mass = 5.972e24 kg, radius = 6,371,000 m).
- 01F = G * m1 * m2 / r²
- 02F = 6.6743e-11 * 5.972e24 * 70 / (6.371e6)²
- 03F = 6.6743e-11 * 4.1804e26 / 4.059e13
- 04F ≈ 687 N (close to 70 * 9.81 = 686.7 N)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the gravitational constant G?
G = 6.6743 x 10^-11 N·m²/kg². It is a universal constant that sets the strength of gravity.
Why don't we feel gravitational attraction to nearby objects?
G is extremely small. Only objects with very large mass (like planets) produce noticeable gravitational forces.
Is gravity always attractive?
Yes. Gravitational force is always attractive; it pulls masses toward each other.
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Open Gravitational Force Calculator