State the Universal Law of Gravitation

The Universal Law of Gravitation, a cornerstone of classical physics, explains the gravitational attraction between masses. In this article, we are going to learn the statement of the universal law of gravitation.

State the Universal Law of Gravitation

The Universal Law of Gravitation is a fundamental principle that describes the force of gravity between two objects. Formulated by Sir Isaac Newton, this law revolutionized our understanding of the universe.

Newton’s Insight into Gravitational Force

Sir Isaac Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation states that every particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This law can be expressed mathematically as:

F = G m₁m₂ / r²

where,

• F is the gravitational force,
• m₁ and m₂ are the masses of the objects,
• r is the distance between the centers of the two masses, and
• G is the gravitational constant.

Implications of the Law

This law implies that the force of gravity decreases with distance and increases with the mass of the objects. It is a cornerstone in classical physics and is crucial for understanding celestial mechanics, including the orbits of planets and the behavior of objects on Earth.

The Universal Law of Gravitation is a key concept in physics, providing a comprehensive explanation for the forces that govern the motion of celestial bodies. It remains a fundamental part of our understanding of the physical universe.