Universal Gravitation

F = G\frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}

Newton's law of universal gravitation.

Variables

Gravitational force

Attractive force

In SI units: kg·m/s²

Gravitational constant

6.674×10⁻¹¹

In SI units: m³/(kg·s²)

Allowed values: greater than 0

N·m²/kg²

m₁

Mass 1

First mass

Allowed values: 0 or more

m₂

Mass 2

Second mass

Allowed values: 0 or more

Distance

Between centers

Allowed values: greater than 0

Derivation

Fundamental empirical law.

Your notes

0/5000

Constants in this formula

Gravitational Constant

6.674 30 × 10⁻¹¹ ± 0.000 15 × 10⁻¹¹. Measured (CODATA 2018).

N·m²/kg²

Check value

Round inputs run through this page's calculator, with each constant at its tabulated value. Use it to test your own working or a rearranged form. It is a test case, not a real-world example.

G = 6.674 30 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg² (Gravitational constant)
m₁ = 2 kg (Mass 1)
m₂ = 3 kg (Mass 2)
r = 4 m (Distance)

Result: F = 2.502862 × 10⁻¹¹ N

Other mechanics formulas with the same quantities

Gravitational Field (Gravitation) shares Gravitational constant, Distance
Center of Mass (Two Objects) (Dynamics) shares Mass 1, Mass 2
Orbital Period (Gravitation) shares Gravitational constant
Escape Velocity (Gravitation) shares Gravitational constant
Surface Gravity (Gravitation) shares Gravitational constant
Geosynchronous Orbit Radius (Gravitation) shares Gravitational constant

Where this formula is listed

Mechanics formulas, under Gravitation.
In the mechanics list it comes after Rolling Kinetic Energy and before Gravitational Field.
Mechanics formula sheet, one of 58 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.

Common questions

What is the Universal Gravitation formula?

Universal Gravitation is written F = G(m₁m₂/r²). Newton's law of universal gravitation. It belongs to Mechanics, under Gravitation.

What are the units in F = G(m₁m₂/r²)?

In SI units, F is gravitational force, measured in kg·m/s²; G is gravitational constant, measured in m³/(kg·s²); m₁ is mass 1, measured in kg; m₂ is mass 2, measured in kg; r is distance, measured in m.

How is the Universal Gravitation formula derived?

Fundamental empirical law. The result is F = G(m₁m₂/r²).