What is the Difference Between Gravity and Gravitational Force?

Gravity and gravitational force are related but distinct concepts in physics. Here are the main differences between the two:

• Gravitation: This refers to the attractive force existing between any two objects that have mass, and it is the cause of the gravitational force between them. Gravitation is the weaker force, as it depends on the mass of the objects involved. If the objects are large, the gravitational force can become significant.
• Gravity: Gravity is the gravitational force that occurs between the Earth and other bodies. It is the force that attracts objects toward the Earth's surface. Gravity is the effect of the gravitational force on an object, and its strength is determined by the mass of the object.

In summary, gravitation is the mutual attraction between masses, while gravity is the force acting between an object and the Earth's surface. Gravitation is the cause of the gravitational force, and gravity is its effect. Both forces are essentially the same, but they describe different aspects of the interaction between objects and the Earth.

Comparative Table: Gravity vs Gravitational Force

Here is a table comparing the differences between gravity and gravitational force:

Gravitational force is a universal force of attraction between all objects with mass, while gravity specifically refers to the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects. The gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers of mass. On the other hand, the force of gravity is directly proportional to the mass of the object and the acceleration caused by gravity, which is constant on Earth's surface.