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Acceleration Due To Gravity Formula:
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The acceleration due to gravity formula calculates the gravitational acceleration experienced by an object due to the gravitational force exerted by another mass. It's derived from Newton's law of universal gravitation.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula shows that gravitational acceleration is directly proportional to the mass of the object and inversely proportional to the square of the distance from its center.
Details: Calculating gravitational acceleration is fundamental in physics, astronomy, and engineering. It helps determine orbital mechanics, predict planetary motions, design spacecraft trajectories, and understand fundamental physical laws.
Tips: Enter the gravitational constant (typically 6.67430e-11), the mass of the celestial body in kilograms, and the distance from the center of mass in meters. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is the standard value of Earth's gravity?
A: The standard acceleration due to gravity on Earth's surface is approximately 9.80665 m/s², though it varies slightly with location.
Q2: How does gravity change with altitude?
A: Gravity decreases with the square of the distance from the center of mass. At higher altitudes, gravitational acceleration is slightly less than at sea level.
Q3: Why is the gravitational constant important?
A: The gravitational constant (G) is a fundamental physical constant that determines the strength of the gravitational force in Newton's law of universal gravitation.
Q4: Can this formula be used for any celestial body?
A: Yes, this formula can calculate gravitational acceleration for any mass, whether it's a planet, moon, star, or other celestial object.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is theoretically accurate for point masses or spherical symmetric bodies. For irregular shapes, additional factors may need to be considered.