List of equations in gravitation

This article summarizes equations in the theory of gravitation.

Definitions

Gravitational mass and inertia

A common misconception occurs between centre of mass and centre of gravity. They are defined in similar ways but are not exactly the same quantity. Centre of mass is the mathematical description of placing all the mass in the region considered to one position, centre of gravity is a real physical quantity, the point of a body where the gravitational force acts. They are equal if and only if the external gravitational field is uniform.

Quantity (common name/s) (Common) symbol/s Defining equation SI units Dimension Centre of gravity rcog (symbols vary) ith moment of mass

Centre of gravity for a set of discrete masses:

Centre of gravity for a continuum of mass: m [L]Standard gravitational parameter of a mass μ N m2 kg−1 [L]3 [T]−2

Newtonian gravitation

Quantity (common name/s) (Common) symbol/s Defining equation SI units DimensionGravitational field, field strength, potential gradient, acceleration g N kg−1 = m s−2 [L][T]−2Gravitational flux ΦG m3 s−2 [L]3[T]−2Absolute gravitational potential Φ, φ, U, V J kg−1 [L]2[T]−2Gravitational potential difference ΔΦ, Δφ, ΔU, ΔV J kg−1 [L]2[T]−2Gravitational potential energy Ep J [M][L]2[T]−2Gravitational torsion field Ω Hz = s−1 [T]−1

Gravitoelectromagnetism

In the weak-field and slow motion limit of general relativity, the phenomenon of gravitoelectromagnetism (in short "GEM") occurs, creating a parallel between gravitation and electromagnetism. The gravitational field is the analogue of the electric field, while the gravitomagnetic field, which results from circulations of masses due to their angular momentum, is the analogue of the magnetic field.

Quantity (common name/s) (Common) symbol/s Defining equation SI units DimensionGravitational torsion flux ΦΩ N m s kg−1 = m2 s−1 [M]2 [T]−1Gravitomagnetic field H, Bg, B, ξ Hz = s−1 [T]−1Gravitomagnetic flux Φξ N m s kg−1 = m2 s−1 [M]2 [T]−1Gravitomagnetic vector potential h m s−1 [M] [T]−1

Equations

Newtonian gravitational fields

It can be shown that a uniform spherically symmetric mass distribution generates an equivalent gravitational field to a point mass, so all formulae for point masses apply to bodies which can be modelled in this way.

Physical situation Nomenclature EquationsGravitational potential gradient and field U = gravitational potential C = curved path traversed by a mass in the field Point mass At a point in a local array of point masses Gravitational torque and potential energy due to non-uniform fields and mass momentsV = volume of space occupied by the mass distribution m = mr is the mass moment of a massive particle Gravitational field for a rotating body = zenith angle relative to rotation axis = unit vector perpendicular to rotation (zenith) axis, radial from it

Gravitational potentials

General classical equations.

Physical situation Nomenclature EquationsPotential energy from gravity, integral from Newton's lawEscape speed M = Mass of body (e.g. planet) to escape from r = radius of body Orbital energy m = mass of orbiting body (e.g. planet) M = mass of central body (e.g. star) ω = angular velocity of orbiting mass r = separation between centres of mass T = kinetic energy U = gravitational potential energy (sometimes called "gravitational binding energy" for this instance)

Weak-field relativistic equations

Physical situation Nomenclature EquationsGravitomagnetic field for a rotating body ξ = gravitomagnetic field

List of equations in gravitation

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