What is the relationship between mass and gravitational force of attraction?

[MusicIsMyLife52]

I have a HUGE test tomorrow and my teacher said we have to know this....but i can't seem to understand mass and gravitational force of attraction...PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!

 

[harryb1]

f=ma. if you can remember this and learn how to derive equations from it then you're good.

 

[gintable]

Well...are you talking locally or universally?

If locally, we usually use the formula:
W = m*g

W is the gravitational force acting on the object of interest
m is its mass
g is the local gravitational field strength, a property of the region of space where it resides (notice that I am avoiding calling this "acceleration of gravity").


If universally, we can use the formula:
Fgrav = G*M*m/r^2

Where:
G is Cavendish's measured proportionality constant, assumed to be universal
M is the mass of one of the bodies of interest
m is the mass of the other of the bodies of interest
r is the separation distance