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Glite Dictionary
universal gravitational constant

universal gravitational constant

8.4
A number that shows how strongly two objects with mass attract each other depending on their distance
  • noun
  • /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsl ˌɡrævɪˈteɪʃənl ˈkɒnstənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : constante gravitacional universal
  • Newton's law uses the universal gravitational constant to relate mass and distance to gravitational force.

Examples

  • What is the universal gravitational constant?

  • The constant of proportionality universal gravitational constant, denoted by G, is essential for calculating the gravitational force between two objects.

  • Scientists have measured the universal gravitational constant with increasing precision over the years.

  • The value of the universal gravitational constant is essential in calculating the force between two planets.

  • The universal gravitational constant is a key factor in physics.

  • In physics, the universal gravitational constant plays a crucial role in Newton's law of gravitation.

  • To understand how gravity works, one must first learn about the universal gravitational constant, which influences the attraction between masses.

Synonyms

gravitational constant
vsuniversal gravitational constant
  • Specialized
2 7.5

A number that shows how strong the pull of gravity is between two objects

is the more formal phrase used in scientific laws
G
vsuniversal gravitational constant
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A number scientists use to measure the strength of gravity

is the written phrase form used in text rather than symbol notation
constant of gravitation
vsuniversal gravitational constant
  • Specialized
7.2

A number that shows how strong gravity is between two objects depending on their mass and distance

uses a different word order and phrasing in formal names

Surface Forms

universal gravitational constant singular
universal gravitational constants plural

Morphology

universal + gravitational + constant

The meaning is transparently built from the constituents: 'universal' (applying everywhere), 'gravitational' (relating to gravity), and 'constant' (a fixed value), so together they denote a fixed value used in the law of gravity. This modifier+noun composition follows standard English and has clear equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the component words can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun universal gravitational constant comes from the idea of one number that is always the same: universal means used everywhere, gravitational means about gravity, and constant means 'always the same'. Imagine this single 'constant' turning mass and distance into the 'pull' between two objects, so scientists use it to work out how strong gravity is.