Definition

1. Noun:
   • A scientific theory describing gravitational attraction: The theory of gravity is a fundamental physical theory that explains the force of attraction between any two objects with mass. It states that this force is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Newton's theory of gravity was a monumental breakthrough in physics.
  • The theory of gravity explains why planets orbit the sun.
  • Modern cosmology still relies on a refined theory of gravity.

Advanced Usage

• "within the framework of the theory of gravity": used to describe phenomena explained by this theory.
  • Planetary motion is understood within the framework of the theory of gravity.

Variants and Related Words

• Law of universal gravitation: Often used synonymously with Newton's theory of gravity.
  • Newton formulated the law of universal gravitation.
• Gravitational theory: A more general term that can encompass Newtonian gravity, Einstein's general relativity, and other models.
  • Different gravitational theories make different predictions about black holes.

Synonyms

• Law of universal gravitation (specifically for Newton's formulation).
• Newtonian gravity (specifically for Isaac Newton's theory).

Related Phrases

• Theory of general relativity: Albert Einstein's theory, which superseded Newton's theory of gravity in describing gravity as the curvature of spacetime.
  • For extremely strong gravitational fields, the theory of general relativity is used instead of the classical theory of gravity.

Noun

1. (physics) the theory that any two particles of matter attract one another with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them