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Gravitational Acceleration Formula:
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Gravitational acceleration is the acceleration of an object caused by the force of gravity from another object. It is calculated using Newton's law of universal gravitation, which describes the attractive force between two masses.
The calculator uses the gravitational acceleration formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the acceleration due to gravity at a specific distance from an object's center of mass.
Details: Calculating gravitational acceleration is essential in astrophysics, orbital mechanics, and understanding planetary motion. It helps determine the force exerted by celestial bodies and is fundamental to space exploration and satellite positioning.
Tips: Enter the mass in kilograms and distance in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator uses the standard gravitational constant value of 6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/kg s².
Q1: What is the gravitational constant?
A: The gravitational constant (G) is a fundamental physical constant that appears in Newton's law of universal gravitation. Its value is approximately 6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/kg s².
Q2: How does distance affect gravitational acceleration?
A: Gravitational acceleration decreases with the square of the distance from the center of mass (inverse square law). Doubling the distance reduces acceleration to one-quarter of its original value.
Q3: What is Earth's gravitational acceleration at surface?
A: Approximately 9.8 m/s², though it varies slightly with location due to Earth's rotation, shape, and density variations.
Q4: Can this calculator be used for any celestial body?
A: Yes, as long as you know the mass of the celestial body and the distance from its center of mass.
Q5: Why is the result so small for everyday objects?
A: The gravitational constant is extremely small (6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹), meaning significant mass is required to produce measurable gravitational effects.