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Gravitation and gravity have different concepts although they may sound similar. Both Gravitation and Gravity are used to describe the attraction of forces between the masses but there are major differences between them too. The force that is acting between two bodies is known as gravitation whereas the force between the surface of the earth and an object is known as gravity. The term gravity is used when we need to analyze the reaction of the particular particles in the gravitational field. The term gravitation is used when we are considering interchangeable attraction between the pair of bodies. In the following sections, we will learn about the difference between gravity and gravitation along with the relevant formulas and frequently asked questions.
| Table of Content |
Keyterms: Gravitation, gravity, forces, Newton's law, Kepler's law, surface, earth
Gravitational force
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- The force between two moving objects in the universe is known as gravitational force. Between the several fundamental forces in nature, the gravitational force between all matters is the weakest.
- Newton's law of universal gravitation and Kepler's law describe the gravitational forces.
- We are usually unable to feel the force of gravitation because of its weak nature.
This week force of attraction is the result of the large distance of separation between the objects and the earth.
Gravitational force
- The law of gravitation can be expressed as
F ∝ M1 M2 / r2
Where F = force
M1 = mass of the first body
M2 = mass of the second body
- The law of gravitation can also be expressed as:
F = G M1M2 / r2
Where G (constant) = 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2
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Gravity
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- Gravity is the force that generally acts between an object with mass placed in the universe and the surface of the earth.
- The gravitational force exerted by the body is known as the force of gravity.
- The strength and force of gravity depend upon the mass of the body.
- There is a cause-effect relationship between gravitational force and gravity.
Gravity
- It is expressed as:
F = Mg
Where,
F = force
M = mass
g = acceleration due to gravity. It has a constant value of 9.8m/s2 or 10m/s2
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Difference between Gravitation and Gravity
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| Gravitation | Gravity |
|---|---|
| Gravitation is the force acting between two bodies. | Gravity is the force that is acting between the earth’s surface and the object. |
| It is denoted by G. | It is denoted by g. |
| It is considered as a universal force. | It is not considered as a universal force. |
| It is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them | It is equal to the product of mass of the body and the constant acceleration due to gravity |
| The mass of two bodies are responsible for the gravitational force | Gravity acts on a single body |
| It is a weak kind of force | It is a strong kind of force |
| The nature of the force can be attractive as well as repulsive. | It is always attractive in nature |
| With an infinite distance between the bodies, the force will be negligible or zero | At the center of the earth, the force of gravity will be zero. Eg, black holes |
Also Read: Difference between Centre of Gravity and Centroid
Things to Remember Based on Difference between Gravitation and Gravity
- Gravitation is the force acting between two bodies.
- The gravitational force can be expressed as: F = G M1M2 / r2. Where, G = gravitational constant.
- The force due to gravity can be expressed as: F = Mg. Where, g= acceleration due to gravity.
- Gravity is the force that is acting between the earth’s surface and the object.
- Gravitation is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
- Gravity is equal to the product of mass of the body and the constant acceleration due to gravity.
- Gravity is the force of gravitation due to the earth
- The value of gravity is 9.8 meters per second
- The medium has no effect on the gravitational force
- The weight of a body can vary but mass stays constant
Also Read: GRAVITATION Ncert Solutions
Important Questions Based on Difference between Gravitation and Gravity
Ques: Why do we feel more weight in the north pole than the equator? (1 Mark)
Ans: The high amount of centrifugal force present in the equator diminishes the effect of gravity. Thus the poles reflect more weight than the equator.
Ques: What is the importance of the universal law of gravitation? (2 Marks)
Ans: The law of gravitation explains the different phenomenon in the universe related to gravitation. Such as:
- The high and low tides which are due to the sun and the moon
- The revolution of the planets around the sun
- The revolution of the moon around the earth
- The binding force that holds us on the earth
Ques: What is the weight of an object on earth if the mass of an object is 10kg? (2 Marks)
Ans: Mass (m) = 10 kg
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 ms-1
W = m x g
W = 10kg x 9.8ms-2
= 98N
Ques: What would be the weight of an object on the moon if it weighs 10N on the surface of the earth? (2 Marks)
Ans: weight of an object on the moon = (1/6) x weight on the earth
i.e,
wm = wc/6 = 10/6 N
= 1.67N
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