M and m are the masses of the two objects in kilograms (kg).G is the Universal Gravitational Constant = 6.67*10 −11 N-m 2/kg 2.F is the force of attraction between two objects in newtons (N).Universal Gravitation Equationįrom the Law of Universal Gravitation, Newton formulated the Universal Gravitation Equation, which defines the gravitational force between two objects. Critics said that this explanation was bringing the occult or mysticism into science, which Newton denied. Newton could not explain the mechanism of how and why gravitation occurred, except that it was some sort of force at a distance. On the other hand, universal gravitation implies that gravitation is throughout the universe, which is slightly different than a universal law. A universal law is one that is said to apply to the whole Universe. Note: Also, the Law of Universal Gravitation is sometimes called the Universal Law of Gravitation. Universal Gravitation versus Universal Law The Law of Universal Gravitation only makes predictions of how bodies are attracted and does not explain why it happens. On the other hand, a theory tells why a phenomenon happens. In the sciences, a law generalizes observations and shows no exceptions. Note: Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation is sometimes incorrectly called the Theory of Universal Gravitation. However, it was shown that the gravitation from a large uniform sphere is approximately the same as if all the mass was concentrated at its center. This law was originally stated for point masses. This was then formalized into the Universal Gravitation Equation. The Law of Universal Gravitation states that every object of mass in the Universe attracts every other object of mass with a force which is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the separation between their centers. Although he may have been inspired by seeing an apple fall from a tree, his studies and correspondence with other scientists who were studying gravitation probably influenced him more than seeing an apple fall. The story that Newton was sitting under a tree when he was hit in the head by a falling apple, thus causing him to discover gravity, is a fable. In 1687, Isaac Newton's observations on planetary motion and empirical measurements, allowed him to establish the Law of Universal Gravitation, which was explained in the publication of Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (or simply Principia) set of three books that stated his Laws of Motion, the Law of Universal Gravitation and a derivation of Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion. In studying the orbits of planets around the Sun, Kepler determined that gravitational attraction varied with separation, while formulating his Laws of Planetary Motion. In the 1600s, Galileo Galilei, Robert Hooke and Johannes Kepler formulated laws of gravity near the Earth. In 628, Indian astronomer Brahmagupta recognized gravity as a force of attraction. Scientists and philosophers from ancient times have made observations about gravity on Earth. Establishing the Law of Universal Gravitation
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