r is distance or radius for Columbs law and Gravitational Law?

[MedGrl@2022]

In the equations F=G(mm)/(r^2) and F=k(qq)/(r^2). Is r radius on distance? I feel like some texts use radius and others use distance...

If it is distance, the r is confusing me and why don't they use d?

Thanks for helping me sort this out.

Thank you,

Verónica

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[Gauss44]

In the equations F=G(mm)/(r^2) and F=k(qq)/(r^2). Is r radius on distance? I feel like some texts use radius and others use distance...

If it is distance, the r is confusing me and why don't they use d?

Thanks for helping me sort this out.

Thank you,

Verónica

It's for the distance between the centers of the two masses or two charges. I don't know the history of it or why d isn't used.