Acceleration Of Gravity Calculator

Gravitational Acceleration Equation:

\[ g = G \times \frac{M}{r^2} \]

Gravitational Acceleration (g):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Gravitational Acceleration?

Gravitational acceleration (g) is the acceleration of an object due to the force of gravity from another object. It describes how quickly an object's velocity changes when falling freely under gravity's influence.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Newton's law of universal gravitation:

\[ g = G \times \frac{M}{r^2} \]

Where:

\( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (m/s²)
\( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.674×10⁻¹¹ m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻²)
\( M \) — Mass of the celestial body (kg)
\( r \) — Distance from center of mass (m)

Explanation: The equation shows that gravitational acceleration is directly proportional to the mass of the object and inversely proportional to the square of the distance from its center.

3. Importance of Gravitational Acceleration

Details: Gravitational acceleration is fundamental in physics, astronomy, and engineering. It determines orbital mechanics, affects time dilation in general relativity, and is crucial for space missions and satellite operations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and radius in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. For Earth calculations, use mass = 5.972×10²⁴ kg and radius = 6.371×10⁶ m.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Earth's gravitational acceleration?
A: Approximately 9.80665 m/s² at sea level, though it varies slightly with latitude and altitude.

Q2: Why does gravitational acceleration decrease with height?
A: Because gravitational force follows an inverse-square law with distance from the center of mass.

Q3: How does mass affect gravitational acceleration?
A: Larger mass creates stronger gravitational fields, resulting in higher acceleration for objects at the same distance.

Q4: What is the gravitational constant G?
A: A fundamental physical constant that quantifies the strength of gravitational attraction between objects with mass.

Q5: Can gravitational acceleration be negative?
A: No, gravitational acceleration is always positive as it represents the magnitude of acceleration toward the mass center.