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Gravitational Acceleration Formula:
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Gravitational acceleration (g) is the acceleration of an object due to the force of gravity. On Earth's surface, it is approximately 9.81 m/s² and represents the rate at which objects accelerate when falling freely under gravity's influence.
The calculator uses Newton's law of universal gravitation formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the acceleration due to gravity at a specific distance from the center of a celestial body, based on its mass and the universal gravitational constant.
Details: Gravitational acceleration is fundamental in physics, engineering, and astronomy. It affects everything from planetary motion to structural design, satellite orbits, and everyday phenomena like falling objects and fluid dynamics.
Tips: Enter the gravitational constant (typically 6.674×10⁻¹¹), the mass of the celestial body in kilograms, and the radius from the center in meters. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is Earth's gravity approximately 9.81 m/s²?
A: This value results from Earth's mass (5.972×10²⁴ kg) and radius (6.371×10⁶ m) using the gravitational formula.
Q2: How does gravity vary with altitude?
A: Gravity decreases with the square of the distance from Earth's center, so it's slightly less at higher altitudes.
Q3: What is g on other planets?
A: Mars: 3.71 m/s², Moon: 1.62 m/s², Jupiter: 24.79 m/s². Each planet's gravity depends on its mass and radius.
Q4: Is gravitational constant truly constant?
A: Yes, G is a fundamental physical constant that appears to be the same throughout the universe.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation for real-world applications?
A: Very accurate for ideal spherical bodies. For precise Earth calculations, factors like rotation and non-spherical shape cause minor variations.