Understanding Surface Gravity
Surface gravity is the gravitational acceleration experienced at the surface of a celestial body, such as a planet or star. It determines how much an object weighs on that body and influences atmospheric retention and planetary evolution.
The Law of Universal Gravitation
The acceleration due to gravity (g) is calculated using Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. The strength of gravity depends directly on the mass of the body and inversely on the square of its radius.
- Mass (M): The more massive the planet, the stronger its gravitational pull.
- Radius (r): The further the surface is from the center of mass, the weaker the gravity becomes.
The Calculation Formula
The formula used in this calculator is:
g = (G Ć M) / r2
Where G is the gravitational constant (6.674 Ć 10-11 m3 kg-1 s-2).
Formula:
Gravity Formula:
g = G Ć M / r2
Result in m/sĀ² or 'g' units