Law of universal gravitation Honors Physics
Zero Gravity Cats!
Universal Gravitation ALL objects attract each other with a force of gravitational attraction. Gravity is universal. This force of gravitational attraction is directly dependent upon the masses of both objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance that separates their centers.
ALL objectless are attracted to each other!
Gravity attracts the center of masses
The mathematical relationship
The mathematical relationship What it means: If you increase the mass of either object, you increase the force of gravity. If you increase the distance between the objects, you decrease the force of gravity.
Proportional to the product of the masses Start with some known force of gravity. Double one mass Double the force Double both masses Quadruple force Triple one mass Triple the force
Inversely proportional to the square of the distance Start with some known force of gravity. Double the distance ¼ the force ½ the distance Quadruple the force Double the distance and both masses get the same force