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🔋college physics i – introduction review

Gravitational Attraction

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Gravitational attraction is the fundamental force of nature that attracts objects with mass towards one another. This force, described by Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation, is responsible for the motion of celestial bodies, the weight of objects, and the formation of structures in the universe.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The strength of gravitational attraction between two objects is directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
  2. Gravitational attraction is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the Sun and causes objects to fall towards the Earth's surface.
  3. The gravitational constant, 'G', has a value of approximately 6.67 × 10^-11 N⋅m^2/kg^2, and it is a fundamental physical constant that describes the strength of the gravitational force.
  4. Gravitational acceleration, 'g', is the acceleration experienced by an object due to the Earth's gravitational pull, and it has a value of approximately 9.8 m/s^2 near the Earth's surface.
  5. Gravitational attraction is a universal force that applies to all objects with mass, and it plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of celestial bodies, galaxies, and the entire universe.

Review Questions

  • Explain how the strength of gravitational attraction between two objects is determined according to Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation.
    • According to Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation, the strength of the gravitational attraction between two objects is directly proportional to the masses of the objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This relationship is expressed mathematically as $F_g = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$, where $F_g$ is the gravitational force, $G$ is the gravitational constant, $m_1$ and $m_2$ are the masses of the two objects, and $r$ is the distance between them. This law explains the motion of celestial bodies, the weight of objects, and the formation of structures in the universe.
  • Describe the role of the gravitational constant, 'G', in the context of gravitational attraction.
    • The gravitational constant, 'G', is a fundamental physical constant that represents the strength of the gravitational force between two objects. It has a value of approximately 6.67 × 10^-11 N⋅m^2/kg^2. The gravitational constant is a crucial parameter in the equation for gravitational force, as it determines the overall magnitude of the attractive force between objects. Understanding the value of the gravitational constant is essential for accurately predicting and analyzing the behavior of gravitational systems, from the motion of planets to the formation of galaxies and the evolution of the universe.
  • Analyze the relationship between gravitational acceleration, 'g', and the Earth's gravitational pull, and explain how this relationship is relevant to the study of gravitational attraction.
    • Gravitational acceleration, 'g', is the acceleration experienced by an object due to the Earth's gravitational pull, and it has a value of approximately 9.8 m/s^2 near the Earth's surface. This acceleration is a direct consequence of the Earth's gravitational attraction on objects. The value of 'g' is a crucial parameter in understanding the behavior of falling objects, the weight of objects, and the motion of objects under the influence of the Earth's gravity. Analyzing the relationship between gravitational acceleration and the Earth's gravitational pull allows us to better comprehend the fundamental principles of gravitational attraction and apply them to various physical phenomena, such as the motion of satellites, the tides, and the dynamics of celestial bodies.