Gravitational Force
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Gravitational Force
The gravitational force between ordinary masses is attractive and acts along the line joining them. For point masses its magnitude is F = Gm₁m₂/r².
- Related Glossary Terms
- Index
Reviewed physics notes (1)
These corrections keep the original lesson’s purpose while fixing errors in the source edition.
- Newtonian gravity does not repel ordinary positive masses. — Reference 1
Glossary and deeper reading · 1 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Gravity
Gravity is the attractive interaction between masses in the Newtonian model. For spherical bodies or point-mass approximations, its strength decreases with the square of the separation between their centers. For example, Earth’s gravity provides the inward force that keeps a satellite in orbit.