eli5: What is an inverse square force and how is gravity an inverse square force?
In: Physics
An inverse square is basically anything that decreases proportionally to an increase squared, or increases proportionally to a decrease squared. In math terms y=1/x^2 . Gravity is an inverse square force because the force of gravity decreases relative to an increase in distance squared. For example, if you built a tower on the surface of the earth with a height equal to the earths radius, the top would be 2x the distance and therefore have 1/4 the gravity.
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