Gravitational Force

Gravitational force is also called Gravity. It is the universal force of attraction between all the things having mass and energy. It includes various things like stars, planets, even galaxies.

The gravitational force on Earth provides weight to objects. Some examples are that due to the gravitational pull of moon tides occurring in oceans, we can walk on Earth’s surface due to gravitational force. It also holds all the different kinds of gases on the moon. Gravitational force is the universal force of attraction between objects. Gravitational force is denoted by the letter ”F”. 

What is the gravitational force? 

Gravity, also known as gravitational force, is the attraction between different types of bodies like planets, galaxies, gaseous things, etc.

Gravity, also known as gravitational force, is the attraction between different types of bodies like planets, galaxies, and gaseous things. Issac Newton was the first to discover the gravitational laws in the year 1687.

He gave the universal law of gravitation and stated that all object which has any mass in them would attract each other with a force that is: 

•  Directly proportional to the product of their mass.

•  Inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

The gravitational force is high when heavy objects are close to each other. The most accurate definition was given by Newton. He gave the description known as ”Newton’s law of universal gravitation’’. 

This definition states that gravitational force is a type of force that acts between bodies and causes the force of attraction between them. Their magnitude is proportional to their masses’ product and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

It is a type of conservative force that means gravity’s work depends on the final and initial position and not on the path taken. So, work done by the gravitational force on a closed course will be zero. There are different types of weak and fundamental solid forces that exist in nature and gravitational force is the weakest form of all fundamental forces on Earth.

Properties of gravitational force: 

• Gravitational force is attractive. It works as the force of attraction between objects.

• Gravitational force is a non-contact force that means force acting between objects without actually coming in physical contact. 

• This force is a centripetal force directed towards the centre of the orbit, and it helps the thing keep moving in rotation. 

• Gravitational force is a long-range force which means force that does not need any physical contact between them. 

• It does not require any medium to act. 

• It is the weakest of all forces. 

• It functions along the line joining the centre of the two bodies. 

• It is directly proportional to the product of the masses of the 2 objects.

• It is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the objects. 

• Gravitational force does not have significant control at a subatomic level, which is smaller in size than atoms like protons electrons.

• It has the most control over objects at the macroscopic level and is more significant enough to be seen through naked eyes. 

The formula of gravitational force:

F = GM₁M₂ ∕ R² 

• F = Gravitational force 

• G = gravitational constant 

• M₁ = mass of object 1 

• M₂ = mass of object 2 

• R = distance between centres of masses 

The gravitational force between objects increases when the distance between them decreases. It decreases when the distance between them grows as a force of gravity is inversely proportional to the space. 

Some advantages and disadvantages of gravity: 

• Due to gravitational force, rain pours on Earth and helps sustain life.

• It is responsible for holding satellites and planets in their orbit. 

• Due to the gravitational force of the moon, tides occur in oceans. 

• We can walk on Earth due to gravity. 

• Due to gravitational force, it attracts asteroids or rocks, or larger bodies towards the Earth, and if it enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it will cause more significant damage. 

• Our muscles and bones are in working condition due to this force. 

Conclusion: 

In this article, we learned that gravitational force is the force that acts among all universal objects. It is a long-range and no contact force too. Gravitational force is the weakest of all the fundamental forces, but still, it acts between all the universal things. It does not need any medium to travel. 

We can walk on Earth due to gravitational force. And it is a conservative type of force which means it only depends on the initial and final position, not on the path taken. The