Why does an object have the gravitational force and what is the direction of the force?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating why an object experiences gravitational force and what its direction is, we must consider the fundamental cause and the vector direction involved.
Option a: It claims gravity arises from friction between the object and the surface, with the force opposite to motion. In reality, friction is a contact force that opposes motion parallel to the surface, not the cause of gravitational attraction. Gravity is not a frictional effect, so this statement misidentifies the origin of the gravitational force.
Option b: It states gravity exists because the object has mass, and the direction of the force is downward. This aligns with Newtonian gravity: mass generates gravitational attraction, and the weight vector points downward toward the Earth's center (or toward the supporting body). This is the correct conceptual basis for gravitational force.
Option c: It says gravity arises because the object is tied to a string, with the force along the string away from the object. That describes tension in a string, not gravity. Gravity acts independently of whether an object is suspended by a string, and its direction is vertical downward, not along a tether.
Option d: It suggests gravity is due to sitting on a surface or another object, with the force perpendicular to the surface. This describes the normal reaction force, not gravity. Gravity acts through the body toward the center of mass of the Earth (vertically downward), regardless of contact with a surface.
Thus, by eliminating the incorrect mechanisms (friction, tension along a string, and normal force) and recognizing mass as the source with downward direction, we identify the reasoning that best matches gravitational force behavior.

UCIC 202503 PHYS101 Quiz 2

Why does an object have the gravitational force and what is the direction of the force?

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