Meaning & use
gravitational constant
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Meaning
nounsingulartechnicalphysics
A fixed number in physics that measures how strongly two objects with mass pull on each other through gravity.
Grammar: Usually used with 'the'; it is a single fixed value, so it is not countable and has no plural in normal use.
Patterns
- the gravitational constant
- the value of the gravitational constant
- measure the gravitational constant
Students often memorize the value of the gravitational constant for exams.
The gravitational constant is used in Newton's law of universal gravitation.
Scientists have measured the gravitational constant with increasing precision over the years.
Common combinations
- the value of the gravitational constant
- The value of the gravitational constant is approximately 6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg².
- measure the gravitational constant
- Researchers used a torsion balance to measure the gravitational constant.
- Newton's gravitational constant
- Newton's gravitational constant appears in the equation for the force between two masses.
Synonyms and how they differ
- G
- The standard symbol for the gravitational constant in equations; it is not a word you would use in ordinary speech.
Word family
- gravitation noun
- The force that attracts objects toward each other; the constant is a number used in equations about this force.
- gravitational adjective
- Relating to gravity or gravitation, as in 'gravitational pull'.
Commonly confused: gravitational constant or acceleration due to gravity?
gravitational constant vs acceleration due to gravity
This is about 9.8 m/s² near the Earth's surface and is often written g, while the gravitational constant is a universal number written G.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'gravitational constant' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The gravitational constant is a universal number, so it is the same everywhere. Option A describes the acceleration due to gravity near Earth's surface, not the constant. Option C confuses the constant with the force of gravity. Option D is wrong because the constant is not a property of a single object like a table.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gravitational constant”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.