Universal law of gravitation

Definition

Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation states that every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This law is fundamental in understanding the behavior of objects in orbit.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The force of gravity between two objects increases as their masses increase.
2. The gravitational force decreases with the square of the distance between two objects.
3. Newton's Law of Gravitation can be expressed mathematically as F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2, where F is the force, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses, and r is the distance between their centers.
4. The gravitational constant (G) has a value of approximately 6.674 × 10^-11 N(m/kg)^2.
5. This law helps explain planetary orbits and why planets revolve around stars like our Sun.

Related terms

Gravitational Constant:

A proportionality factor used in Newton's Law of Gravitation, denoted by G.

Inverse Square Law:

A principle stating that a specified physical quantity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.

Orbit: The curved path an object follows around a star, planet, or moon due to gravity.