Final answer:
Gravity is a force that changes the motion of objects, pulls on them without physical contact, and attracts objects to large masses like Earth. It does not repel like a magnet, and understanding gravity is crucial in physics for explaining both everyday phenomena and celestial dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gravity is a fundamental force that causes a change in an object’s motion, pulls on objects without touching them, and pulls things toward the center of mass of another object, such as the ground. The true statements about gravity, based on our understanding of physics, are:
- Gravity causes a change in an object’s motion.
- Gravity pulls on an object without touching it.
- Gravity pulls things toward the ground.
The incorrect statement is that gravity, like a magnet, attracts and repels objects. Gravity only attracts; it does not repel. In examining the motion of objects under the influence of gravity, such as free fall, we can apply kinematic equations to determine their position and velocity when air resistance is negligible. The force due to gravity is also responsible for the orbits of celestial bodies.
It's essential to recognize that gravity acts between any two objects that have mass and it works over large distances. While gravity is the weakest of the fundamental forces, it is significant enough to affect motion on an astronomical scale.