Is gravity a law or theory?

Question

Lydia Allen · Accepted Answer

There is a law of gravitation and also a theory of gravitation.

In physics, a law characterizes a phenomenon that occurs naturally; it makes no attempt to explain how it functions. Newton's law of gravitation describes the attractive force #F# between two bodies with masses #m_1# and #m_2#, which are a distance #r# apart. #F=(Gm_1m_2)/r^2# Where #G# is the gravitational constant. This is a law because it describes the force but makes not attempt to explain how the force works. In Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, gravity is explained as the result of the curvature of four-dimensional spacetime. A theory is an explanation of a natural phenomenon. In addition, Einstein derived an equation for gravity that, despite its apparent simplicity, is extremely complicated and challenging to solve. #G_(mu nu) = (8 pi G)/c^4 T_(mu nu)# Thus, we have a theory of gravity in addition to a law.

Luke Allen · Answer

undefined Gravity is both a law and a theory. Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation describes the force of gravity, while Einstein's General Theory of Relativity provides a more comprehensive understanding of gravity as the curvature of spacetime by mass.