What principle states that every object in the universe is attracted to every other object?

What principle states that every object in the universe is attracted to every other object?

• A. Universal law of gravitation
• B. Newton's first law
• C. Law of motion
• D. Conservation of momentum

Answer: (A)

The universal law of gravitation articulates that every object in the universe experiences gravitational attraction towards every other object, with the force being directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This foundational principle, formulated by Isaac Newton, applies universally, meaning it governs the interactions not just between large celestial bodies like planets and stars, but also between small objects on Earth. The concept emphasizes that mass is a key factor in gravitational attraction; larger masses exert a stronger pull. The effect can be observed in various scales, from the falling of an apple to the gravitational interactions between galaxies. This law helps explain numerous phenomena, including the orbits of planets around stars and the trajectories of objects under the influence of gravity. In contrast, Newton's first law focuses on the motion of objects and inertia, while the law of motion encompasses several principles governing movement and forces. The conservation of momentum relates to the total momentum of a closed system being constant, which is not directly about the attraction between objects. Therefore, the universal law of gravitation accurately captures the essence of attraction between all objects in the universe.

The universal law of gravitation articulates that every object in the universe experiences gravitational attraction towards every other object, with the force being directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This foundational principle, formulated by Isaac Newton, applies universally, meaning it governs the interactions not just between large celestial bodies like planets and stars, but also between small objects on Earth.

The concept emphasizes that mass is a key factor in gravitational attraction; larger masses exert a stronger pull. The effect can be observed in various scales, from the falling of an apple to the gravitational interactions between galaxies. This law helps explain numerous phenomena, including the orbits of planets around stars and the trajectories of objects under the influence of gravity.

In contrast, Newton's first law focuses on the motion of objects and inertia, while the law of motion encompasses several principles governing movement and forces. The conservation of momentum relates to the total momentum of a closed system being constant, which is not directly about the attraction between objects. Therefore, the universal law of gravitation accurately captures the essence of attraction between all objects in the universe.