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Newton's Law of Gravitation Calculator

Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation describes the attractive force that every particle of matter exerts on every other particle.

Mass of primary body in kilograms (Earth is 5.972e24 kg).

Mass of secondary body in kilograms.

Separation distance between centers of mass in meters (Earth radius ≈ 6.371e6 m).

Calculated Result
9.820e+3 N

Gravitational Attraction Force

Attractive Force

9.8200e+3 N

Separation

6,371,000.0 m

Body 1 Acceleration

1.644e-21 m/s²

Body 2 Acceleration

9.820e+0 m/s²

Calculation Breakdown

  1. Newton's Law of Universal GravitationF = (6.6743×10⁻¹¹ × 5.972e+24 × 1000) / (6371000)² = 9.8200e+3 NF=Gm1m2r2,G=6.6743×10−11 N⋅m2/kg2F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}, \quad G = 6.6743 \times 10^{-11} \text{ N}\cdot\text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2
  2. Induced Acceleration on Body 1a₁ = 1.6443e-21 m/s²a1=Fm1a_1 = \frac{F}{m_1}
  3. Induced Acceleration on Body 2a₂ = 9.8200e+0 m/s²a2=Fm2a_2 = \frac{F}{m_2}

Gravitational Force vs Distance (Earth + 1000 kg)

Interactive visualization based on your current inputs

Force (N)
0.02.5k4.9k7.4k9.8kSurface400 km (ISS)2000 km10000 km35786 km (GEO)Altitude Above SurfaceForce (N)

What Is the Newton's Law of Gravitation Calculator?

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation is one of the pillars of classical astrophysics, published in the Principia in 1687.

How Does the Newton's Law of Gravitation Calculator Work?

Mass curves spacetime in General Relativity, which Newtonian gravity accurately models as a mutual attractive inverse-square central force in weak-field limits.

Newton's Law of Gravitation Calculator Formula & Variables

The core mathematical equation utilized by this calculator is expressed as:

F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}, \quad G = 6.6743 \times 10^{-11} \text{ N}\cdot\text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2

Gravitational force F is directly proportional to the product of both masses and inversely proportional to the square of separation distance.

How to Use the Newton's Law of Gravitation Calculator

  1. Enter the masses of both objects in kilograms (scientific notation supported, e.g. 1.989e30 for the Sun).
  2. Provide center-to-center distance in meters.

Step-by-Step Example Calculation

Earth-Satellite Gravitational Attraction

Input Values:

mass1:5.972e24
mass2:1000
distance:6.371e6
Worked Steps: Earth attracting a 1000 kg satellite on its surface produces approximately 9820 N of gravitational force (g ≈ 9.82 m/s²).

Understanding Your Result

Gravitational Attraction Force: Total mutual attractive force in Newtons.

Induced Acceleration: Separate acceleration experienced by each mass according to a = F/m.

Factors That Affect the Result

  • Separation Distance: Doubling distance slashes gravitational force to 25%.

When Should You Use This Calculator?

  • Astrophysics, orbital mechanics, and satellite mission trajectory design.

Assumptions & Limitations

  • Treats spherical bodies as point masses (Shell Theorem).

Frequently Asked Questions

Calculation Accuracy & Reference Note

Standard CODATA Newtonian constant G = 6.67430×10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg².

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