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I tried searching for the exact mathematical proof that validates this assumption, but I couldn't find any.

Also, is this assumption still accurate if the density of the object resembles a planet (denser at the center, less dense at the edge)?

Does this assumption still apply in general relativity? (I have no knowledge in general relativity, so this question might not even make sense, but I thought it would be an interesting question nonetheless.)

Peter Mortensen
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Kyub
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    "is it mathematically accurate to simply objects to point masses when calculating gravitational forces between them?" - I believe that it's exact assuming that both bodies are spherically symmetric. So, yes, using point masses still works if the densities of the planets vary as long as they remain spherically symmetric. However, the point masses approach would not be valid if you're considering the gravitational attraction between two cubes or other objects which are not spherically symmetric. –  Feb 12 '18 at 20:56
  • @SamuelWeir That's an answer. – dmckee --- ex-moderator kitten Feb 12 '18 at 21:10
  • Related: https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/276152/ – dmckee --- ex-moderator kitten Feb 12 '18 at 21:27
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    Possible duplicates: https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/140885/2451 and links therein. – Qmechanic Feb 12 '18 at 22:03

1 Answers1

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This is a good enough question that Newton allegedly delayed publishing his Principia while he worked it out.

The search term you want is "shell theorem" which states (among other things) that the gravitational field due to any spherically symmetric mass distribution outside that mass distribution is equivalent to that for a all the mass concentrated in at the center.

So it is completely valid for all perfectly spherically symmetric objects.

Now, objects like the Earth and the Sun are not completely spherically symmetric (they are fat around the equator, and the Earth is slightly pear-shaped), but it is also true that the effects of those differences fall off faster than the overall effect, so the father you get from an object that is not spherically symmetric the less you care about the difference, and the more valid the point mass approximation becomes. Search term here "multipole expansion".

The Earth's dipole and quadrupole moments affect what satellite orbits are stable, and the Moon's "mass concentrations" are significant enough that numerous early flyby and impact missions failed to achieve their goals (some failed spectacularly).

dmckee --- ex-moderator kitten
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