---
title: "Gravitational Force — AP Physics 2 Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Gravitational force is the attractive force between any two masses. In AP Physics 2, it's the go-to comparison for Coulomb's law and electric forces."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-physics-2-revised/key-terms/gravitational-force"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Physics 2"
---

# Gravitational Force — AP Physics 2 Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Gravitational force is an attractive force between two objects with mass. It is responsible for holding planets in orbit around stars and objects on Earth's surface.

## Related Study Guides

- [3.9 Gravitational and Electromagnetic Forces](/ap-physics-2-revised/unit-3/gravitational-electromagnetic-forces/study-guide/WUW0B2ram8ZYhOsUYg31)
- [Unit 7 Overview: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics](/ap-physics-2-revised/unit-QUWmBhy0eEwkfCSU/review/study-guide/rcA6NJTYu2BTlTMRS2dT)
- [3.7 Electric Forces and Free-Body Diagrams](/ap-physics-2-revised/unit-3/electric-forces-free-body-diagrams/study-guide/w5TVC61CqiWuO8C9uhGK)
- [Unit 3 Overview: Electric Force, Field, and Potential](/ap-physics-2-revised/unit-XlL3c92aZqMjzlPd/review/study-guide/zdXur7w9vBsybddwrND8)

## Review

### Related Terms

- Mass: Mass is a measure of how much matter an object contains.
- Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: This law states that every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of their distance apart.
- Weightlessness: Weightlessness occurs when there is no apparent gravitational force acting on an object or person, such as during freefall or orbiting in space.