The gravitational force and acceleration due to gravity are related concepts in physics, but they refer to different aspects of how gravity operates.
Gravitational Force: This is the attractive force between two masses. According to Newton’s law of universal gravitation, the gravitational force (F) can be calculated using the formula:
F = G * (m1 * m2) / r²
where G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects, and r is the distance between the centers of the two masses. This force acts at a distance and is responsible for keeping objects in orbit, such as the Earth around the Sun.
Acceleration due to Gravity: This refers to the acceleration experienced by an object due to the gravitational force acting on it, especially when in free fall near the surface of the Earth. The acceleration due to gravity (g) on the surface of the Earth is approximately 9.81 m/s². This means that, neglecting air resistance, any object in free fall will accelerate toward the Earth at this rate.
In summary, while gravitational force is the pull between two masses, acceleration due to gravity is the effect of that force on an object in motion. The two concepts are interconnected: the gravitational force acting on an object results in the acceleration that the object experiences. Understanding this distinction is key to grasping how gravity influences motion in our universe.