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
Gravitation is the force of attraction between two objects with mass. It is responsible for keeping planets in orbit around the sun and objects on Earth's surface.
Related terms
Universal Law of Gravitation: A law formulated by Isaac Newton that states every particle attracts every other particle with a force directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of their distance apart.
Weightlessness: A condition experienced when there is no apparent gravitational force acting on an object or person.
Escape Velocity: The minimum velocity required for an object to escape from the gravitational pull of another celestial body.