What is the value of G in the force of gravity?

According to the universal law of gravitation, every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle with a force known as gravitational force or gravity, which is directly proportional to the product of masses of the particle and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Let m₁ and m₂ be the two masses separated by distance r, then the gravitational force of attraction between them is given by

F = \(G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}\)

Where, 

• G is a constant, known as the gravitational constant.
• It is also known as the Universal gravitational constant, Newtonian constant of gravitational Constant, or Cavendish gravitational Constant.

The value of G (gravitational constant) is very difficult to measure because it is an extremely weak force as compared to other fundamental forces.

• The first measurement of the gravitational constant in the laboratory was performed in 1798 by Henry Cavendish. 
• He determined a value for G implicitly, using a torsion balance invented by the geologist Rev. John Michell. 
• This experiment is now known as the Cavendish experiment

The 2018 Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) recommended value of the gravitational constant in the SI unit is

G = 6.67430 x 10^-11 N m² kg^-2

In the CGS unit, it is given by

G = 6.67430 x 10^-8 dyne cm² g^-2

The dimensional formula for G is [ M^-1 L³ T^-2 ]

It is a scalar quantity.

---

Also Read: