Definition

1. Noun:
   • The force of attraction between all masses in the universe: Gravitational force is a fundamental physical interaction that causes all objects with mass to attract one another.
   • Especially Earth's attraction: It commonly refers to the specific force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth, giving them weight.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The gravitational force of the moon causes the ocean tides.
  • A spacecraft must achieve high speed to escape Earth's gravitational force.
  • The gravitational force between two small objects is extremely weak.

Advanced Usage

• "To overcome gravitational force": to apply enough energy to move against this attraction.

  • Rockets require immense thrust to overcome gravitational force and reach orbit.

• "The effects of gravitational force": the observable consequences of this attraction.

  • The effects of gravitational force are evident in the orbits of planets.

Variants and Related Words

• Gravity (n): Often used interchangeably with "gravitational force," especially when referring to the force near a celestial body like Earth.

  • The gravity on Mars is about 38% of Earth's.

• Gravitation (n): The universal phenomenon of attraction between masses; sometimes used more broadly than "gravitational force."

  • Newton's law of universal gravitation describes this force.

Synonyms

• Attraction: The act or force of drawing objects together.
• Pull: A force that moves something toward the source of the force.

Related Phrases

• Gravitational pull: A common phrase meaning the same as gravitational force.

  • The gravitational pull of the sun keeps the planets in their orbits.

• Gravitational field: The region of space around a mass where its gravitational force can be felt.

  • Objects within a planet's gravitational field experience its pull.

Related Concepts

• Law of Universal Gravitation: The scientific principle stating that every particle attracts every other particle with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
• Weight: The force exerted on a mass by a gravitational field.

Noun

1. (physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
   • the more remote the body the less the gravity
   • the gravitation between two bodies is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them
   • gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love--Albert Einstein