The greatest attractive force in the universe is gravity. It's the force that pulls all matter together, regardless of its composition or state. This force governs the motion of celestial bodies, from planets orbiting stars to galaxies colliding.
Here's what makes gravity so powerful:
- Universal: Every object in the universe exerts a gravitational pull on every other object, no matter how small or large.
- Proportional to Mass: The more massive an object, the stronger its gravitational pull. That's why planets orbit stars, not the other way around.
- Infinite Range: Gravity's reach is unlimited, though its effect weakens with distance.
- Cumulative: Gravitational forces add up, so the more mass in a region, the stronger the combined pull.
Examples of gravity's influence:
- Tides: The moon's gravity pulls on Earth's oceans, creating tides.
- Formation of planets and stars: Gravity draws together vast clouds of gas and dust, forming these celestial bodies.
- Expansion of the universe: While gravity pulls objects together, the universe is expanding, driven by a force called dark energy.
