Final answer:
Science advances through the building upon prior discoveries. Kepler's laws of planetary motion were foundational to Newton's law of universal gravitation, which extended the understanding of gravity's effects on celestial and terrestrial bodies. Einstein's theory of general relativity further enhanced this understanding by introducing the concept of space-time curvature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Science develops over time through the cumulative efforts of scientists building upon each other's work. Johannes Kepler's laws of planetary motion, which govern the orbits of planets and moons, were later expanded upon by Isaac Newton through his law of universal gravitation. Newton's law mathematically described the gravitational force, showing it was universal and applied to all bodies in space. It explained not only Kepler's observations but also the behavior of falling objects on Earth as earlier studied by Galileo. Newton determined that the strength of gravity depends on the masses of the objects and the square of the distance between them. This understanding was essential for affirming the correctness of Kepler's laws and advancing our knowledge of celestial mechanics.
Furthermore, Albert Einstein later contributed to our understanding of gravity with his theory of general relativity. Einstein's work demonstrated how gravitational fields can warp space-time and change the path of light, adding depth to the earlier understanding of gravitation provided by Kepler and Newton.