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Concept

Gravitational constant

The image depicts a geometric sphere with a grid overlay and the letter "G" prominently displayed, symbolizing the gravitational constant in scientific concepts.

Denoted G, the proportionality factor in Newton's law of universal gravitation and in Einstein's field equations. It is the least precisely known of the fundamental constants, measured in tabletop experiments to only about four significant figures. Whether G drifts over cosmic time is an open question; lunar laser ranging puts a tight upper bound on any such drift by checking the stability of the Earth–Moon orbit.

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