Final answer:
The symbol representing the constant of universal gravitation in the text is G, known as the universal gravitational constant with a value of 6.674 × 10^-11 N·m²/kg².
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the given text, the symbol that represents the constant of universal gravitation is G. The constant G, also known as the universal gravitational constant, is a fundamental physical constant that is utilized in the laws of gravity and is vital in the calculations involving the gravitational attraction between two masses. The value of G is 6.674 × 10^-11 N·m²/kg², and it is indeed the same everywhere in the universe, irrespective of the mass composition. Cavendish was instrumental in determining this value, and this constant is crucial in Newton's law of gravitation, Kepler's laws, and various other astronomical calculations.
When we refer to formulas such as F = GMm/r², G is the gravitational constant, and it allows us to calculate the gravitational force (F) between two masses (M and m) separated by a distance (r). The remaining symbols in the formula, such as m and M, typically represent the mass of objects experiencing the gravitational force, whereas r stands for the distance between the centers of the two masses.