What is the universal gravitational constant (G)?

The universal gravitational constant, denoted as G, is a key constant in Newton's law of universal gravitation. It quantifies the strength of the gravitational force between two masses. The correct value of the gravitational constant is 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ N kg⁻² m². This value is critical for calculating gravitational forces and is utilized in various equations that describe gravitational interactions.

The unit of G is newtons multiplied by square meters per kilogram squared (N kg⁻² m²), which reflects the relationship between mass, distance, and force. This means that when determining the force of attraction between two masses, G provides the necessary proportionality constant that relates these quantities.

In contrast, the other values listed do not correspond to the correct measurement of G. For example, 6.67 x 10⁻⁹ N kg⁻² m² represents a different magnitude and is incorrect. The value 9.81 N kg⁻² m² is associated with the acceleration due to gravity on Earth, not the gravitational constant. Lastly, 3.00 x 10⁸ m/s is the approximate speed of light in a vacuum, which is unrelated to gravitational forces. Understanding the significance