Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The gravitational constant, denoted by G, is a fundamental physical constant that represents the strength of the gravitational force between two objects.
Related terms
Inverse-Square Relationship: This term refers to the relationship between the distance separating two objects and the strength of their gravitational attraction. As distance increases, gravity weakens exponentially.
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: This law states that every particle attracts every other particle with a force directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of their distances.
Force of Gravity: This term refers to the attractive force between two objects due to their masses. It is determined by both mass and distance according to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.