Gravitational Force - AP® Physics Definition

In the AP® Physics course, gravitational force is defined as the universal, attractive force that pulls objects with mass towards each other. Every object with mass exerts a gravitational force on every other object, although the strength of this force increases with greater mass, as seen with planets, and diminishes with smaller masses, such as atoms.

Gravitational force is always directed along the line connecting the centers of mass of the two objects involved and is exerted on the system's center of mass. Gravitational force has an infinite range, affecting all objects in the universe regardless of distance, but its strength reduces with distance. For instance, the gravitational pull from the Earth serves as the centripetal force that keeps the Moon in its orbit.

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