Simple Description

The strength of a planet's gravitational field - symbol g

Further Detail

Gravitational field strength is defined as "how many Newtons a mass of 1Kg would weigh". For example, on Earth g=10N/Kg and therefore a 1Kg mass would weigh 10N whereas a 2Kg mass would weigh 20N. The gravitational field strength for a smaller body is usually less that Earth's. For example, the moon's gravity is only around a sixth as strong as the Earth's and, as such, g=1.6N/Kg on the moon.

Related Words:

• Weight
• Gravity

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