Gravitet

Gravitet is the Norwegian term for gravity, the natural phenomenon by which mass attracts mass. In physics, gravitation governs the structure and motion of the cosmos. In Newtonian mechanics, gravity is described by the law of universal gravitation: F = G m1 m2 / r^2, where G is the gravitational constant. The gravitational field near the Earth’s surface gives a practical acceleration of about g = 9.81 m/s^2, with small variations due to altitude, terrain, and rotation.

In Einstein’s general relativity, gravity is not a force but the curvature of spacetime caused by mass-energy; objects move along geodesics in curved spacetime. The theory explains gravitational time dilation, light deflection, and gravitational waves, the latter first observed in 2015 by LIGO.

Key historical milestones include the Cavendish experiment measuring G, Isaac Newton’s formulation in 1687, and Einstein’s 1915 theory based on the equivalence principle. Gravitational phenomena include planetary orbits, tides, and the large-scale structure of the universe. Applications include satellite navigation (GPS), space mission planning, and geodesy. Gravitational physics continues to address questions about dark matter, dark energy, and the ongoing effort to reconcile gravity with quantum mechanics.