Difference Between Gravitation and Gravity, Derivation Formula
Difference Between Gravitation and Gravity, improve your understanding with definition, derivative formula and interesting facts. Gain confidence to ace the NEET exam with high marks.
Praveen Kushwah27 May, 2025
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Difference Between Gravitation and Gravity : Although the terms gravitation and gravity are frequently used synonymously, they have different meanings in physics. Newton's law defines gravity as the universal force of attraction between masses. In particular, gravity is the gravitational pull of Earth on objects that are close to its surface.
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What is Gravity?
The force that attracts mass-containing objects toward one another is called gravity. It maintains planets in their orbits around the sun and gives weight to material objects. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, gravity is essential for forming the universe's structure, affecting celestial bodies, and controlling motion on Earth.What is Gravitation?
Gravitational is defined as the force that attracts the two objects towards each other in the universe. Everything in our universe has a force that draws something else to it. Due to the weak nature of this force, it is often difficult for us to detect. Its weak property is mainly due to the large separation distance.Gravity Formula
Things are drawn to the Earth because of its gravitational pull on them. A force (F) directly proportional to the object's mass (M) pulls other objects, such as the Moon, in its direction.F ∝ M
To create an equation, a constant term must be multiplied by the right-hand side. In this example, the constant term is the acceleration caused by gravity (g). As a result,F = Mg
Gravitation Formula
The formula for the gravitational force between two masses separated by a distance is given by Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:Where, is the gravitational force between the masses, is the gravitational constant ( 6.674×10−11 N m2/kg2 ), and are considered as the masses of the two objects, is the distance between the centers of the objects. According to the formula, the force of gravity is directly proportional to the product of the masses of two objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This law explains how any two objects with mass in the universe interact with each other gravitationally.
Difference Between Gravitation and Gravity
Short and precise notes are good for retaining the concepts in memory, hence here you will get the difference between gravitation and gravity based on all the parameters together.| Difference Between Gravitation and Gravity | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Gravitation | Gravity |
| Definition | The force of attraction between any two masses | Force exerted by Earth on objects |
| Type of Force | The universal force between masses | Specific to Earth's gravitational field |
| Formula | F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2 | Weight = m * g (g = acceleration due to gravity) |
| Direction of Force | Attractive | Always towards the center of the Earth |
| Applicability | Universal, applies to any two masses | Specific to Earth and objects near its surface |
| Force Source | Any two masses | Earth as a massive body |
| Dependency | Depends on masses and the distance between them | Depends on the mass of the object and the acceleration due to gravity |
| Symbol | F | W |
| Units | Newtons (N) | Newtons (N) |
| Example | The gravitational force between the Earth and an object | Weight of an object on the Earth's surface |
Gravitation and Gravity Interesting Facts
- In a vacuum, every object experiences the same acceleration from gravity regardless of mass, which is one of the fascinating features of gravity. This implies that if a feather and a hammer were dropped on the Moon, where there is no air resistance, they would both land on the surface simultaneously.
- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) feel weightless not because gravity is absent, but because they are in a constant free fall towards Earth. The gravitational force acting on them and the station is counteracted by their forward orbital velocity.
- Gravity can alter time, according to Einstein's general relativity theory. Time seems to move more slowly in areas with stronger gravitational fields than it does in areas with weaker fields.
- The escape velocity is the minimum speed an object needs to break free from the gravitational attraction of a massive body, such as a planet. The escape velocity of Earth is approximately 11.2 km/s, which is 33 times the sound speed. To escape gravity and travel to space, you must travel at this speed.
- A century after Einstein's theory of general relativity was developed, scientists were able to confirm a prediction when they detected gravitational waves for the first time in 2015. Gravitational waves offer a new perspective on the cosmos as they are ripples in spacetime produced by the acceleration of massive objects, like black hole collisions.
Difference Between Gravitation and Gravity FAQs
What is the fundamental difference between gravitation and gravity?
Gravitation is a universal force of attraction between all objects with mass, while gravity specifically refers to the gravitational force exerted by Earth or another celestial body on objects near its surface. In essence, gravitation is the broader concept that encompasses the gravitational forces between all masses, whereas gravity specifically relates to the force exerted by a particular mass.
How are gravitation and gravity mathematically represented?
Gravitation is mathematically described by Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the force of gravitation (F) is directly proportional to the product of the masses (m1 and m2) and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r) between their centers. Gravity, on the other hand, is commonly calculated using the formula F = mg, where F is the force of gravity, m is the mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth).
Can gravitation exist without gravity?
No, gravitation and gravity are essentially synonymous terms, and they both refer to the same physical phenomenon, the force of attraction between masses. Gravitation is the overarching concept, while gravity specifically denotes the gravitational force associated with a particular mass, such as Earth's gravity.
Are gravitation and gravity the same in all locations in the universe?
Gravitation is a universal force that exists everywhere in the universe, acting between all masses. However, the strength of gravity, or the force of gravity, varies depending on the mass of the celestial body and the distance from its center. For example, the gravity on Earth is different from the gravity on the Moon or other planets.
How do gravitation and gravity relate to Einstein's theory of general relativity?
While Newton's law of universal gravitation provides an accurate description for many everyday situations, Einstein's general relativity offers a more comprehensive explanation of gravitation. General relativity describes gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. In this theory, gravity is not considered a force in the traditional sense but rather the bending of the fabric of spacetime by massive objects, influencing the motion of other objects
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