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Universal Gravitational Law

Reference data and engineering information about universal gravitational law for miscellaneous applications.

universalgravitationallaw

Overview

Engineering reference data for Universal Gravitational Law in miscellaneous.

Key Formulas

Unit Conversion

y=xky = x \cdot k

Multiply by conversion factor.

Linear Interpolation

y=y1+(xx1)(y2y1)x2x1y = y_1 + \frac{(x - x_1)(y_2 - y_1)}{x_2 - x_1}

Estimate between two known points.

Percentage

p=partwhole×100%p = \frac{\text{part}}{\text{whole}} \times 100\%

Part as fraction of whole.

Variables

SymbolDescriptionUnit
xxInput value
yyOutput value
kkConversion factor

Practical Example: Calculating Gravitational Force

The extracted text provides a concrete example of applying the universal law of gravitation. This section breaks down the calculation of the gravitational force (weight) acting on a person on Earth's surface.

Calculation Breakdown

We use the formula: F=Gm1m2r2F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}

Where the values for this scenario are:

  • GG (Universal Gravitation Constant): 6.668×1011N m2/kg26.668 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{N m}^2/\text{kg}^2
  • m1m_1 (Mass of Earth): 5.98×1024kg5.98 \times 10^{24} \, \text{kg}
  • m2m_2 (Mass of the person): 70kg70 \, \text{kg}
  • rr (Distance from Earth's center to its surface): 6.37×106m6.37 \times 10^6 \, \text{m} (Earth's radius)

Plugging these into the formula yields: F=(6.668×1011)(5.98×1024)(70)(6.37×106)2688.1NF = (6.668 \times 10^{-11}) \frac{(5.98 \times 10^{24})(70)}{(6.37 \times 10^6)^2} \approx 688.1 \, \text{N}

Summary of Example Parameters

5 rows
Numerical values used in the example calculation of a person's weight on Earth.
Parameter
Symbol
Value
Unit
Universal Gravitation ConstantG6.668e-11N m²/kg²
Mass of Earthm₁5.98e24kg
Mass of Personm₂70kg
Earth's Radiusr6.37e6m
Calculated Gravitational ForceF688.1N

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Interactive Charts

Acceleration of Gravity and Newton's Second Law

References