The word "gravitation" is spelt with a "v" in the middle despite sounding like it should have a "t". This is because the "v" represents the Latin root word "gravitas" meaning weight or heaviness. The IPA phonetic transcription for "gravitation" is /ɡrævɪˈteɪʃən/. The stress is on the second syllable, with the "a" pronounced as a short vowel sound and the "ti" pronounced as "sh". This word refers to the force of attraction between objects with mass.
Gravitation is a fundamental force in physics that governs the attraction between objects with mass. It is responsible for the phenomenon of weight and the motion of celestial bodies in the universe. The concept of gravitation was first formulated by Sir Isaac Newton in the late 17th century and later refined by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity in the early 20th century.
According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This force of attraction is described mathematically by the equation F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2, where F represents the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects, and r is the distance between their centers.
Gravitation is a force that acts over large distances, influencing the motion of planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies. It is responsible for the orbital motion of planets around the Sun, the motion of the Moon around the Earth, and the formation of galaxies. The understanding of gravitation has greatly contributed to our comprehension of the universe and has allowed scientists to predict and explain many phenomena observed in astronomy and astrophysics.
The mutual attraction between all bodies, tending to draw them to each other.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The peculiar force by which all bodies are drawn to the surface of the earth or in the direction of its centre; the tendency of all bodies, at liberty, to approach each other.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "gravitation" is derived from the Latin word "gravitas", which means "weight" or "heaviness". The term was first used in its modern sense to describe the force that causes physical bodies with mass to attract each other. The English physicist Sir Isaac Newton introduced the concept of gravity and the term "gravitation" in his groundbreaking work, "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica", published in 1687.