Gravity vs Gravitation: What's the Difference?

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Gravity and gravitation, while often used interchangeably, have distinct meanings in physics. Gravity refers specifically to the force that pulls objects toward the Earth, influenced by factors like centrifugal force due to Earth's rotation. In contrast, gravitation describes the universal attractive force between any two masses. This distinction is similar to the difference between apparent weight and actual weight, highlighting that gravity is a specific manifestation of the broader concept of gravitation. Understanding these terms is essential for clarity in discussions about physical forces.
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What (if anything) is the difference between gravity and gravitation?
 
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one has more letters than the other.
 
Perhaps gravity is the word we use to describe the attractive field produced my masses, while gravitation is the ressponse to that field, or the force. A dictionary would hit the spot here better.
 
gravitation (grāv'ĭ-tā'shən)

1.

See gravity.
 
In the field of physical geodesy there is a distinction between the two terms:
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geopotential
For geophysical applications, gravity is distinguished from gravitation. Gravity is defined as the resultant of gravitation and the centrifugal force caused by the Earth's rotation.

The difference between gravity and gravitation is somewhat similar to the difference between apparent weight and actual weight.
 
The terms gravity and gravitation are often used to explain the same thing, but there is a definite difference between the two.

Gravitation is the attractive force existing between any two objects that have mass. The force of gravitation pulls objects together.

Gravity is the gravitational force that occurs between the Earth and other bodies. Gravity is the force acting to pull objects toward the earth.

AMINUDIN SHEIKH MUHAMAD, Malaysia.
 
Thank you all for interesting answers! :approve:
 
Also, u can check out and enjoy gravity-space-time at

 
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