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Physics · Glossary

What is The gravitational constant?

Also known as: gravitational constant

Definition 4.4 High School Physics · Chapter 4 — Universal Gravitation and Weight

The constant

G=6.67×10−11 N m2/kg2G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}\,\mathrm{N}\,\mathrm{m}^{2}/\mathrm{kg}^{2}

is the gravitational constant. Its minuscule value is the reason gravity between everyday objects is imperceptible: only when at least one mass is astronomical does Gm1m2/d2G m_1 m_2 / d^2 amount to anything.

The two forces of a gravitational pair: along the line of centers, toward the other body, with the same magnitude F = G m_1 m_2 / d2 even when the masses are wildly unequal.
The two forces of a gravitational pair: along the line of centers, toward the other body, with the same magnitude F=Gm1m2/d2F = G m_1 m_2 / d^2 even when the masses are wildly unequal.
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