Gravitaatiokenttävektori

Gravitaatiokenttavektori refers to the vector representing the gravitational field at a specific point in space. This vector indicates both the direction and the strength of the gravitational force that would be exerted on a unit mass placed at that point. The direction of the gravitaatiokenttavektori is always towards the source of the gravitational field, such as a celestial body like Earth or the Sun. Its magnitude is determined by the mass of the source and the distance from it, following Newton's law of universal gravitation.

In simpler terms, if you imagine placing a tiny, massless test particle at any location, the gravitaatiokenttavektori at that spot would show you exactly which way it would be pulled and how strongly. The gravitational field is a fundamental concept in physics, describing how mass influences the fabric of spacetime and exerts forces on other masses. The gravitaatiokenttavektori is the mathematical tool used to quantify this influence at every point in space around a massive object. This vector field is continuous and smooth in regions where there are no masses, but it can change abruptly across surfaces of massive objects. Understanding the gravitaatiokenttavektori is crucial for calculating orbital mechanics, predicting the motion of objects under gravity, and comprehending the large-scale structure of the universe.