Gravitational Force Formula:
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Gravitational force is the force exerted by the Earth on objects, causing them to accelerate downward. For falling objects, this force is calculated using Newton's second law of motion.
The calculator uses the gravitational force formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the force exerted by gravity on an object with a given mass. The standard value for Earth's gravity is 9.81 m/s², but this can vary slightly depending on location and altitude.
Details: Calculating the force of a falling object is crucial for engineering applications, safety assessments, and understanding impact forces in accidents or collisions.
Tips: Enter the mass of the object in kilograms and the gravitational acceleration (default is 9.81 m/s² for Earth). All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Does this calculate impact force or gravitational force?
A: This calculates the gravitational force (weight) of the object. Impact force during a fall depends on additional factors like height, duration of impact, and surface properties.
Q2: How does gravity vary on different planets?
A: Gravity varies significantly across celestial bodies. For example, Mars has about 3.71 m/s² gravity, while Jupiter has about 24.79 m/s².
Q3: Why is Earth's gravity 9.81 m/s²?
A: This value represents the average acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface, derived from Earth's mass and radius.
Q4: How does altitude affect gravity?
A: Gravity decreases slightly with altitude, as the distance from Earth's center increases. The change is minimal for most practical applications.
Q5: Is air resistance considered in this calculation?
A: No, this calculation provides the theoretical gravitational force without considering air resistance or other external factors.