The Difference Between Gravitational Force and Gravity
What is Gravitational Force?
Gravitational force is the force of attraction between two objects with mass. This force is dependent on the distance between the objects and their masses. The equation for gravitational force is F=G (m1*m2)/r^2, where F is the force of attraction, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects, and r is the distance between them.
Gravitational force is what keeps our solar system and the planets within it in orbit around the sun. The force of gravity between the sun and the planets is what keeps them in balance.
What is Gravity?
Gravity is the force by which a planet or other body draws objects towards its center. This force is what gives weight to objects on Earth or other planets. The more massive an object, the stronger its gravitational pull.
Gravity is a fundamental force of the universe and is responsible for holding everything in the universe together. It is the force that keeps the moon in orbit around Earth, and it is what keeps Earth in orbit around the sun.
The Key Difference
The key difference between gravitational force and gravity is that gravitational force is the force of attraction between two objects with mass, while gravity is the force that causes objects to be attracted towards the center of a planet or other body.
While these two terms may seem interchangeable, they are different aspects of the same force. Gravitational force is the formula used to calculate the strength of gravity between two objects with mass. Gravity is the result of that force and is what causes planets to stay in orbit and objects to stay on the ground.
In conclusion, gravitational force and gravity are two fundamental concepts in physics that describe the force of attraction between objects in the universe. By understanding the difference between these two concepts, we can gain a better understanding of the fundamental forces that govern the universe.
Table difference between gravitational force and gravity
| Gravitational Force | Gravity |
|---|---|
| The force of attraction between two masses. | The natural phenomenon by which all things with mass are brought towards one another. |
| Depends on the masses of the two objects and the distance between them. | Occurs due to the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass or energy. |
| Is a measurable force and can be calculated using the formula F = G (m1 x m2) / r^2, where F is the force, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects, and r is the distance between them. | Cannot be measured directly, but its effects can be observed and calculated. |
| Is responsible for the motion of celestial bodies, such as planets orbiting around the sun. | Is responsible for the acceleration of objects towards the Earth, and the Earth’s gravitational pull on its atmosphere, causing it to remain in place. |