What does the constant G in Newton's equation help to ensure?

The constant G, known as the gravitational constant, is crucial in Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that every mass attracts every other mass in the universe with a force that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

By incorporating G into the equation, it allows for the establishment of a consistent framework for measuring gravitational forces among various masses, regardless of their size or distance apart. This is vital for ensuring that the calculations yield coherent and consistent results across different scenarios and setups involving gravitational interactions. Hence, G is not just a number but a fundamental constant that ensures the gravitational force can be quantified accurately and uniformly, thereby maintaining consistency in units of measurement when expressing gravitational forces.

This consistency is what enables scientists and engineers to communicate findings and predictions using a universal standard, making G essential for any calculations or applications related to gravitational interactions.