Final answer:
Gravity cannot directly cause rotation, but it can influence and limit the rotation of celestial bodies through tidal forces. It is best known for its ability to accelerate objects towards the Earth, defined with a constant acceleration due to gravity, g. The correct answer to the student's question is c. Accelerate an object to the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gravity can do several things to objects with mass. It cannot cause rotation by itself, but it can certainly influence the rotation of a body, particularly through tidal forces which can limit rotation over time. This is observed with the Moon's synchronous rotation with Earth. Next, gravity can indeed accelerate an object to the ground. This acceleration is due to the force of gravity acting on the object towards the center of the Earth, and the rate of this acceleration is approximately 9.81 m/s² on the Earth's surface. This acceleration is why objects fall to the ground when dropped. As for the options listed in the original question:
- Gravity does not cause rotation directly;
- It can limit rotation in certain systems via tidal forces;
- It can accelerate an object towards the Earth.
Therefore, the correct answer would be c. Accelerate an object to the ground. Answer a. is not correct because gravity does not cause rotation directly; however, it may influence it through interaction with other gravitational forces. Answer b. is partially correct because, while gravity doesn't limit rotation in the direct sense, it influences systems that can result in limited rotation.