View source for Newton's law of universal gravitation

== Introduction ==

[[Isaac Newton|Newton]]'s law of universal gravitation is a fundamental principle in [[Physics|physics]] that describes the gravitational interaction between two bodies with mass. It is a part of classical mechanics and was formulated in the 17th century.

== Historical Background ==

Newton's law of universal gravitation was first published in his work, "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" in 1687. This law was a significant milestone in the history of physics, as it unified the previously separate fields of terrestrial and celestial mechanics. It was a revolutionary concept that proposed a universal force acting between all matter.

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== Mathematical Formulation ==

The mathematical formulation of Newton's law of universal gravitation states that every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This can be expressed as:

F = G * (m1 * m2) / r²

Where:
F is the force of attraction between the two bodies,
m1 and m2 are the masses of the two bodies,
r is the distance between the centers of the two bodies, and
G is the gravitational constant.

== Gravitational Constant (G) ==

The gravitational constant (G) is a key part of the law of universal gravitation. It is an empirical physical constant involved in the calculation of gravitational effects. The value of G was first accurately determined from the results of the Cavendish experiment conducted by the British scientist [[Henry Cavendish|Henry Cavendish]] in 1798.

== Applications and Consequences ==

The law of universal gravitation has wide-ranging consequences and applications. It not only explains the motion of celestial bodies but also provides the basis for understanding a variety of phenomena such as tides, gravitational lensing, and the motion of aircrafts.

== Limitations and Relativity ==

While Newton's law of universal gravitation provides an accurate description of the effects of gravity in many contexts, it has its limitations. The theory of [[General Relativity|general relativity]], proposed by [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]] in 1915, provides a more comprehensive description of gravitation at larger scales and higher masses.

== See Also ==
* [[Gravity]]
* [[Classical Mechanics]]
* [[General Relativity]]

[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Classical Mechanics]]
[[Category:Gravitation]]