A gravitational field is a region of space surrounding a mass where another mass experiences a force of attraction. This concept is central to understanding how masses interact in the universe, following the principles of Newton's law of universal gravitation and Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Gravitational Fields

A gravitational field is a region of space surrounding a mass where another mass experiences a force of gravitational attraction. It is described by the gravitational field strength, which is the force per unit mass at any given point in the field.

gravitational field

region of space

force of attraction

masses interact

universe

Newton's law of universal gravitation posits that every particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This fundamental principle explains the gravitational attraction observed in planetary motions, tides, and free-fall phenomena on Earth.

Newton's law of universal gravitation

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity revolutionized our understanding of gravity by describing it as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy, rather than a force acting at a distance. This theory has profound implications for the study of cosmology, black holes, and the behavior of light and time in strong gravitational fields.

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