inverse square law
noun
: a statement in physics: a given physical quantity (such as illumination) varies with the distance from the source inversely as the square of the distance
Examples of inverse square law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Light intensity decreases as a mathematical function called the inverse square law.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2024
Originally developed to explain the surprisingly speedy rotations of galaxies without resorting to dark matter, today MOND is a collective term given to theories that assume the force of gravity does not always (as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein insisted) follow the inverse square law.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2023
The amount of light an objects gets from the Sun depends on its distance from the Sun squared (this is called the inverse square law of light).
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2012
Gravity’s inverse square law also means the reach of gravitational attraction is technically infinite.
—Bill Andrews, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2013
The team compared these measurements to Newton’s famous inverse square law of gravity, which describes how the gravitational force between two objects depends on their separation: the data were consistent with Newton’s law to within 10 percent.
—Ben Brubaker, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2021
This inverse square law, which arises from geometry, is an idealization that strictly applies to nonphysical point masses.
—Quanta Magazine, 5 Dec. 2019
This is because of a mathematical relationship called the inverse square law.
—Ben Finio, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2019
Power law distributions are seen in many physical situations, like the inverse square laws of gravitation and electric fields.
—Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2024
Originally developed to explain the surprisingly speedy rotations of galaxies without resorting to dark matter, today MOND is a collective term given to theories that assume the force of gravity does not always (as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein insisted) follow the inverse square law.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2023
The amount of light an objects gets from the Sun depends on its distance from the Sun squared (this is called the inverse square law of light).
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2012
Gravity’s inverse square law also means the reach of gravitational attraction is technically infinite.
—Bill Andrews, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2013
The team compared these measurements to Newton’s famous inverse square law of gravity, which describes how the gravitational force between two objects depends on their separation: the data were consistent with Newton’s law to within 10 percent.
—Ben Brubaker, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2021
This inverse square law, which arises from geometry, is an idealization that strictly applies to nonphysical point masses.
—Quanta Magazine, 5 Dec. 2019
This is because of a mathematical relationship called the inverse square law.
—Ben Finio, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2019
Power law distributions are seen in many physical situations, like the inverse square laws of gravitation and electric fields.
—Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Inverse square law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inverse%20square%20law. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share