inverse-square law
Quick Summary
The inverse-square law is a physics principle stating that a physical quantity, such as illumination or gravitational force, decreases with distance from the source. Specifically, the quantity varies inversely as the square of the distance from the source. This means if you double the distance from the source, the quantity becomes one-fourth of its original value.1
This law is fundamental in understanding phenomena like gravity and electromagnetism. For instance, Newton's theory of gravitation posits that the force between two bodies is proportional to the product of their masses and the inverse square of their separation. Experiments have consistently verified the inverse-square law over various distances, from laboratory scales to astronomical observations.23
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gravityThe inverse square lawRecent interest in the inverse square law arose from two suggestions. First, the gravitational field itself might have a mass, in which case the constant of gravitation would change in an exponential manner from one value for small distances to a different…
Read MoreRecent interest in the inverse square law arose from two suggestions. First, the gravitational field itself might have a mass, in which case the constant of gravitation would change in an exponential manner from one value for small distances to a different…
Read More
mechanicsHistory…would suggest to Newton the inverse-square law of universal gravitational attraction.
Read More…would suggest to Newton the inverse-square law of universal gravitational attraction.
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Isaac NewtonWork during the plague years… and the planets, derived the inverse square relation that the radially directed force acting on a planet decreases with the square of its distance from the Sun—which was later crucial to the law of universal gravitation. The world heard nothing of these discoveries.
Read More… and the planets, derived the inverse square relation that the radially directed force acting on a planet decreases with the square of its distance from the Sun—which was later crucial to the law of universal gravitation. The world heard nothing of these discoveries.
Read More
Joseph PriestleyWork in electricity…in which he anticipated the inverse square law of electrical attraction, discovered that charcoal conducts electricity, and noted the relationship between electricity and chemical change. On the basis of these experiments, in 1766 he was elected a member of the Royal Society of London. This line of investigation inspired him…
Read More…in which he anticipated the inverse square law of electrical attraction, discovered that charcoal conducts electricity, and noted the relationship between electricity and chemical change. On the basis of these experiments, in 1766 he was elected a member of the Royal Society of London. This line of investigation inspired him…
Read More