Physics > Gravitation > 1.0 Newton's law of gravitation

  Gravitation
    1.0 Newton's law of gravitation
    2.0 Variation of acceleration due to gravity
    3.0 Gravitational field
    4.0 Gravitational potential
    5.0 Gravitational potential energy
    6.0 Satellites
    7.0 Kepler's law of planetary motion
    8.0 Problem solving technique

1.2 Universal gravitational constant
It is defined as the force of attraction between two bodies each of unit mass, whose centres are placed unit distance apart.

The value of $G$ is constant throughout the universe.

Universal gravitational constant $G$ is a quantity. Its value is same throughout the universe. Its value is independent of the nature and size of the bodies as well as the nature of the medium between the bodies.

The values of $G$ is,

  • SI system: $G = 6.67 \times {10^{ - 11}}N{m^2}/k{g^2}$
  • CGS system: $G = 6.67 \times {10^{ - 8}}dynes - c{m^2}/{g^2}$
The dimensional formula for $G$ is $\left[ {{M^{ - 1}}{L^3}{T^{ - 2}}} \right]$.

The value of universal gravitational constant $G$ was determined experimentally by English scientist Henry Cavendish in 1798.
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