Acceleration Due To Gravity Formula

Acceleration Due To Gravity Formula:

\[ g = \frac{G \times M}{r^2} \]

Acceleration Due To Gravity (g):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What Is The Acceleration Due To Gravity Formula?

The acceleration due to gravity formula calculates the gravitational acceleration experienced by an object due to the gravitational force exerted by a celestial body. It is derived from Newton's law of universal gravitation.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the acceleration due to gravity formula:

\[ g = \frac{G \times M}{r^2} \]

Where:

\( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)
\( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻²)
\( M \) — Mass of the celestial body (kg)
\( r \) — Distance from the center of mass (m)

Explanation: This formula calculates the gravitational acceleration at a specific distance from the center of a celestial body, showing how gravity decreases with the square of the distance.

3. Importance Of Gravity Calculation

Details: Calculating gravitational acceleration is essential for space missions, satellite orbits, planetary science, and understanding fundamental physics principles. It helps determine orbital velocities, escape velocities, and gravitational forces.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter the gravitational constant (default is 6.67430e-11), mass of the celestial body in kilograms, and distance from the center in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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.

Q2: How does gravity change with altitude?
A: Gravity decreases with the square of the distance from the center of the Earth, so it decreases as altitude increases.

Q3: What is the gravitational constant G?
A: G is a fundamental physical constant that measures the strength of the gravitational force between two objects.

Q4: Can this formula be used for any celestial body?
A: Yes, this formula works for any celestial body when you input the correct mass and distance values.

Q5: Why is the distance squared in the formula?
A: The inverse square law reflects how gravitational force spreads out over a spherical surface area as distance increases.