basic

Tidal Force on a Test Body from a Distant Mass Calculator

F_tidal ≈ 2 · G · M · m · R / d³.

Compute the differential gravitational pull (tidal force) exerted by a distant mass M on a small body of mass m and characteristic radius R, separated by centre-to-centre distance d: F_tidal ≈ 2 · G · M · m · R / d³. The 1/d³ falloff is faster than the 1/d² of Newtonian gravity itself.

Dr. Helena Ortiz By Dr. Helena Ortiz
Published Last reviewed 1 min read

Inputs

kg
kg
m
m

Results

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How to use this calculator

  1. Fill in the inputs above using the units you already have.
  2. Values update automatically as you type — no submit button needed.
  3. Hover any result row for the underlying formula and intermediate values.

Formula

F_tidal ≈ 2 · G · M · m · R / d³; G = 6.674·10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg².

In depth

Compute the differential gravitational pull (tidal force) exerted by a distant mass M on a small body of mass m and characteristic radius R, separated by centre-to-centre distance d: F_tidal ≈ 2 · G · M · m · R / d³. The 1/d³ falloff is faster than the 1/d² of Newtonian gravity itself.