The gravitational constant, often denoted as "G," is a fundamental physical constant that appears in the law of universal gravitation, formulated by Sir Isaac Newton. This law describes the gravitational force between two objects with mass and their separation distance.
The value of the gravitational constant is approximately:
G≈6.67430×10-11 m3kg −1 s −2
The acceleration due to gravity, often denoted as "g," is the acceleration experienced by an object due to the gravitational pull of a massive body, such as a planet or a moon. This acceleration is directed towards the center of the massive body and is determined by the mass of the body and the distance from its center. On the surface of the Earth, the average acceleration due to gravity is approximately:
g≈9.81m/s²
This value can vary slightly depending on factors such as location, altitude, and the local distribution of Earth's mass.