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Question

Distinguish between gravity and gravitation?

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Solution

Gravity:

The term ‘Gravity’ is used when the gravitational field is taken as a given, and the focus is on how a particular particle reacts to the field.

Essentially, the term ‘gravity’ has a similar meaning as ‘gravitation.’ However, the term ‘gravity’ is generally attached to an object, for example, ‘gravity of the earth,’ ‘gravity of the moon, Mars, Sun,’ etc. It represents the gravitational force exerted by an object.

Gravitation:

In contrast, the term ‘Gravitation’ is used when the focus is the mutual attraction between pairs of masses.

Gravitation is the universal force of attraction that acts between all matter, big and small. It is the weakest of the fundamental forces in nature.

So, to summarize, we can say that gravitation and gravity have a cause-effect relationship; gravitation, or the gravitational force, is the cause, and gravity is its effect.


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