Category:Definitions/Gravitational Constants

This category contains definitions related to Gravitational Constants.
Related results can be found in Category:Gravitational Constants.

Universal Gravitational Constant

The universal gravitational constant is the physical constant which is the constant of proportion in Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.

Its value in SI units is referred to as $G$ and is approximately equal to $6.674 \times 10^{-11} \, \mathrm N \, \mathrm m^2 \, \mathrm{kg}^{-2}$.

Local Gravitational Constant

The local gravitational constant is the value of the acceleration $g$ caused by the gravitational field given rise to by whatever body or bodies are in a position to exert that gravitational force.

In the everyday context, $g$ is the acceleration due to the gravitational field of Earth at whatever point on or near its surface the observer happens to be.

Thus in this context it is approximately equal to $9 \cdotp 8 \ \mathrm {m \, s^{-2} }$.