What Is Gravitational Constant?

Answer: The gravitational constant, denoted by G, is a fundamental physical constant that represents the strength of the gravitational force between two objects with mass.

The gravitational constant is a fundamental constant in physics that plays a crucial role in the law of universal gravitation formulated by Sir Isaac Newton. This law describes the attractive force between two objects with mass and is given by the equation:

[Tex]F = \frac{G \cdot m_1 \cdot m_2}{r^2}[/Tex]

where:

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

The gravitational constant is a proportionality factor that determines the strength of the gravitational force. Its value is approximately 6.67430×10⁻¹¹m³kg⁻¹s⁻².

The gravitational constant is a fundamental constant, meaning its value is thought to be the same throughout the universe and across time. Despite its fundamental role in classical mechanics, it is worth noting that the theory of general relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, provides a more accurate description of gravity, especially in extreme conditions such as those near massive objects or at very high speeds.