7.2.1

Newton's Law

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Newton's Law of Gravitation

Gravity is an attractive force acting between all matter. This force acts everywhere in the universe.

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Gravity

  • Gravitational force only depends on the mass of the two objects and the distance between them. The equation for calculating this force is:
    • Gravitational force = (gravitational constant x first mass x second mass) ÷ (the distance between the masses)2
    • F=(Gm1m2)/r2F=(G{m_1}{m_2})/r^2
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Newton's third law

  • Gravitational force acts along the line joining the two centres of the objects.
  • The magnitude of the force acting on both objects is the same. This is consistent with Newton's third law.

Jump to other topics

1Measurements & Errors

2Particles & Radiation

3Waves

4Mechanics & Materials

5Electricity

6Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)

7Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)

8Nuclear Physics (A2 only)

9Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)

10Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)

11Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)

12Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)

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