<P> The gravitational constant, also known as the universal gravitational constant, or as Newton's constant, denoted by the letter G, is an empirical physical constant involved in the calculation of gravitational effects in Sir Isaac Newton's law of universal gravitation and in Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity . Its measured value is approximately 6989667400000000000 ♠ 6.674 × 10 m ⋅ kg ⋅ s . </P> <P> According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the attractive force (F) between two point - like bodies is directly proportional to the product of their masses (m and m), and inversely proportional to the square of the distance, r, (inverse - square law) between them: </P> <Dl> <Dd> F = G m 1 × m 2 r 2 . (\ displaystyle F = G (\ frac (m_ (1) \ times m_ (2)) (r ^ (2))) \, .) </Dd> </Dl>

In the universal law of gravitation what does the symbol r stand for