Gravitational constant
(Redirected from Newtonian constant of gravitation)
Gravitational Constant (symbol: G) is a physical constant that plays a crucial role in the law of universal gravitation, which was first formulated by Isaac Newton. This constant is a measure of the strength of gravity between two objects. The value of the Gravitational Constant is approximately 6.674 × 10^−11 N⋅m²/kg².
Overview[edit | edit source]
The concept of the Gravitational Constant is foundational in physics, particularly in the field of classical mechanics. It enables the calculation of the gravitational force between two masses. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the force (F) between two masses (m1 and m2) separated by a distance (r) is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. The Gravitational Constant, G, is the proportionality constant in this equation:
\[F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}\]
History[edit | edit source]
The Gravitational Constant was first introduced by Isaac Newton in 1687 in his seminal work, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. However, the actual value of G was not measured until 1798 by Henry Cavendish using a torsion balance experiment. This experiment allowed for the calculation of the Earth's density and indirectly measured the Gravitational Constant.
Measurement[edit | edit source]
Measuring the Gravitational Constant has proven to be exceptionally challenging due to the weakness of the gravitational force compared to other fundamental forces. Various experiments over the years have yielded slightly differing values, leading to ongoing research to refine its measurement. The current accepted value, as recommended by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA), is subject to periodic review as measurement techniques improve.
Significance[edit | edit source]
The Gravitational Constant is significant not only in the calculation of gravitational forces but also in understanding and predicting the orbits of planets, moons, and artificial satellites around larger bodies. It is also crucial in the study of astrophysics, cosmology, and black holes, as it helps in understanding the structure and evolution of the universe.
Challenges[edit | edit source]
One of the major challenges in the field of physics is the precise measurement of the Gravitational Constant. Its small value and the weakness of the gravitational force make it susceptible to experimental errors. Additionally, reconciling the gravitational force with quantum mechanics in a theory of quantum gravity remains an unresolved issue in modern physics.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD