Acceleration Due to Gravity vs. Gravity

Attribute	Acceleration Due to Gravity	Gravity
Definition	The acceleration experienced by an object due to the gravitational force of a massive body.	The force that attracts a body towards the center of the Earth or any other celestial body.
Symbol	g	G
Value on Earth	9.81 m/s^2	9.81 m/s^2
Direction	Always directed towards the center of the Earth.	Always attractive and directed towards the center of the massive body.
Dependence on Mass	Independent of the mass of the object experiencing it.	Dependent on the mass of the two objects involved.

Definition

Acceleration due to gravity is the acceleration that an object experiences due to the force of gravity. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is approximately 9.81 m/s^2, and it is directed towards the center of the Earth. Gravity, on the other hand, is the force of attraction between two objects with mass. It is a fundamental force in the universe that governs the motion of celestial bodies and objects on Earth.

Formula

The formula to calculate acceleration due to gravity is a = g, where "a" is the acceleration due to gravity and "g" is the acceleration due to gravity constant. On Earth, the value of "g" is approximately 9.81 m/s^2. Gravity, on the other hand, is calculated using Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the force of gravity between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Measurement

Acceleration due to gravity can be measured using a variety of methods, such as dropping an object and measuring its acceleration as it falls, or using a pendulum to measure the acceleration of gravity. Gravity, on the other hand, is a force that cannot be directly measured. Instead, its effects can be observed through the motion of objects and celestial bodies in space.

Effect on Objects

Acceleration due to gravity affects all objects on Earth equally, regardless of their mass. This means that all objects will fall towards the Earth at the same rate, neglecting air resistance. Gravity, on the other hand, is a force that is proportional to the mass of the objects involved. Objects with greater mass will experience a greater force of gravity than objects with lesser mass.

Variation

Acceleration due to gravity is relatively constant on the surface of the Earth, with a value of approximately 9.81 m/s^2. However, it can vary slightly depending on factors such as altitude and latitude. Gravity, on the other hand, is a universal force that is constant throughout the universe. It is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the motion of celestial bodies in space.

Applications

Acceleration due to gravity is a crucial factor in many scientific and engineering applications. It is used in physics to calculate the motion of objects in free fall, as well as in engineering to design structures that can withstand gravitational forces. Gravity, on the other hand, is essential for the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets in the universe. It is also responsible for keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground.