eli5: What is an inverse square force and how is gravity an inverse square force?
In: Physics
An inverse square force is a force which varies in inverse proportion to the square of the distance between the object exerting the force and the object experiencing it. For example, if you get twice as far from earth (2X the distance), you will feel once fourth (1/2^2) of the gravitational pull. If you get 4x as far, you will feel 1/16 (1/4^2) the force. 16 times as far, and it will be 1/256 (1/16^2) as strong.
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