gravitational constant

[ grav-i-tey-shuh-nl kon-stuhnt ]

noun

, Physics, Astronomy.

1. a universal physical constant used in calculating the attraction between two masses​. : G

gravitational constant

noun

1. the factor relating force to mass and distance in Newton's law of gravitation. It is a universal constant with the value 6.673 × 10 ^–11N m² kg ^–2 G

gravitational constant

1. A constant relating the force of the gravitational attraction between two bodies to their masses and their distance from each other in Newton's law of gravitation. The gravitational constant equals approximately 6.67259 × 10 ⁻¹¹ newton square meters per square kilogram. Its symbol is G.
2. See more at Newton's law of gravitation

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravitational constant¹

First recorded in 1805–10

Example Sentences

Perhaps Barbie’s world has a different gravitational constant, for which her weight would differ.

From Scientific American

Despite the crudeness of his experimental setup 500 years ago, da Vinci, Dr. Gharib said, was able to calculate the gravitational constant to an accuracy within 10 percent of the modern value.

From New York Times

I’m going to have to increase my gravitational constant.’

From Washington Post

Dr. Schlamminger has set his sights on big G, the universal gravitational constant.

From New York Times

There’s G for the gravitational constant, c for the speed of light, and more unfamiliar measures like h, or Planck’s constant, which is the smallest action that can be taken by a photon.

From The Verge