How to calculate gravitational force?

[mdmaaz]

What is the formula for calculating the gravitational force between two objects of a given mass? It's a really simple question. But I'm just a thirteen year old who desperately wants to know.

 

[ZapperZ]

Please bookmark the Hyperphysics website.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/grav.html

Zz.

 

[mdmaaz]

Thanks, I can understand gravity so much more better now!

 

[mdmaaz]

What do the letters in the formula stand for? Would really appreciate it if you tell me.

 

[mdmaaz]

Gravitational Constatant

I know the formula for calculating the gravitational force between two masses. In the formula "G" means gravitational constant. The gravitational constant is 6.67E-11 m3 s-2 kg-1. But what does "6.67E-11 m3 s-2 kg-1 mean"?
I would really appreciate it if give me an example of calculating gravitational force between two objects.

 

[Disconnected]

I know the formula for calculating the gravitational force between two masses. In the formula "G" means gravitational constant. The gravitational constant is 6.67E-11 m3 s-2 kg-1. But what does "6.67E-11 m3 s-2 kg-1 mean"?
I would really appreciate it if give me an example of calculating gravitational force between two objects.

Hey, mdmaaz.

The units of the universal gravitational constant G, N m^2 kg^-2, N is shorthand for Newtons, the measure of force. m is for metre, kg is for kilogram. The units can sort of be thought as being the way they are due to the units of the other variables in the equation.

F(gravity) is the force due to the gravitation attraction between the two object. G is the universal gravitational constant. m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects between which the gravity is acting (for example, between the Earth and your body). r is the distance separation between the two objects (notice that Earth pulls on you much more then saturn does, despite saturn's much larger mass!) .

Here is a quick example of finding the gravitational force between two objects.

Let's say that object 1 has mass m1=10kg and that object 2 has mass m2=25kg. If they are 10m apart, then the force is given by (from hyperphysics)

F=(6.67*10^-11*10*25)/10^2

F=1.668*10^(-9)N

 

[mdmaaz]

Thanks "Disconnected"! You're awesome dude. I can finally understand how to caclulate gravitational force.