Gravity Is Attractive - Middle School Physical Science

Identify the correct claim to start an argument that gravity is always attractive.

Masses pull toward each other; they do not push apart. This fundamental property of gravity forms the basis of the argument.
Identify the action-reaction pair for gravitational forces between two masses.

Each mass pulls on the other with equal magnitude, opposite direction. Newton's third law applies: forces are equal and opposite.
What is the relationship between weight and gravitational force near Earth?

Weight is the gravitational force: $W = mg$ . Weight is simply gravitational force expressed as $mg$ .
What happens to gravitational force magnitude when one mass doubles from $m$ to $2m$?

It doubles: $F' = 2F$ . Force is directly proportional to each mass.
Identify the correct force direction: Earth's gravity on the Moon points toward Earth or away from Earth?

Toward Earth. All gravitational forces point toward the attracting mass.
Identify the missing claim in this argument: "Masses interact by gravity; therefore they ____ each other."

Pull. Attractive forces create pulling motion.
Which option is correct: gravity makes planets move away from the Sun or orbit the Sun?

Gravity makes planets orbit the Sun. Attraction keeps planets in curved paths around the Sun.
Which statement is correct: gravity can repel like charges, or gravity does not depend on charge?

Gravity does not depend on electric charge. Gravitational force depends only on mass, not charge.
Which statement best defines gravity as a force between two masses?

Gravity is the mutual force of attraction between masses. Attraction is the key characteristic distinguishing gravity from other forces.
Which claim is scientifically correct: gravitational force becomes repulsive at large $r$ , or it only decreases with $r$ ?

It only decreases with $r$ ; it does not become repulsive. Force approaches zero but never reverses sign.
State Newton's third law as it applies to gravitational forces between two masses.

They are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. Action-reaction forces are always equal and opposite.
Choose the correct direction: the gravitational force on $m_1$ due to $m_2$ points toward or away from $m_2$ ?

Toward $m_2$ . Gravitational forces always point toward the attracting mass.
What does the direction of the gravitational force on an object point toward?

Toward the other mass (along the line connecting their centers). Gravity acts along the line between mass centers.
What is the direction of gravitational force relative to the line connecting two masses?

Along the line joining the two masses, toward each other. Gravity acts as a central force between masses.
Which word correctly completes: Gravity between two masses is always _____?

Attractive. Gravity only pulls, never pushes.
Identify the error: "Gravity can be repulsive if objects are far apart." What is the correction?

Correction: Distance changes strength, not attraction; gravity remains attractive. Distance affects magnitude only; the attractive nature is unchangeable.
What word best describes gravity between two masses: attractive or repulsive?

Attractive. Gravity always pulls masses together, never repels.
Which observation best supports that Earth's gravity is attractive: objects fall up or fall down?

Objects fall down toward Earth. Attraction pulls objects toward Earth's center.
Choose the correct statement about direction: gravity points away from mass or toward mass?

Toward mass. Attraction means force points inward.
Which evidence better supports attraction: tides show oceans pulled toward the Moon or pushed away?

Pulled toward the Moon. Moon's gravity attracts ocean water, creating bulges.
Which evidence supports attraction: tides caused by the Moon or a spring pushing outward?

Tides caused by the Moon (gravitational pull). The Moon pulls ocean water toward it, creating tidal bulges.
Which property of mass explains why gravity does not come in "positive" and "negative" types?

Mass is always positive; there is no negative mass in this model. Unlike electric charge, mass cannot be negative.
State Newton's law of universal gravitation in words, focusing on how the force acts.

Two masses pull on each other along the line between them. Gravity is a mutual attraction between any two objects with mass.
What does "always attractive" mean for the sign of the gravitational interaction between masses?

It always pulls masses together, never pushes them apart. Unlike charges, mass has no negative counterpart.
Which conclusion is supported by universal gravitation: any two masses attract or only nearby masses attract?

Any two masses attract. "Universal" means it applies to all masses everywhere.
Choose the correct comparison: electric forces can be attractive or repulsive, but gravity is always _____.

Attractive. Unlike electric forces, gravity has no repulsive mode.
Identify the force that keeps the Moon from moving in a straight line away from Earth.

Earth's gravitational pull on the Moon. Attraction provides the centripetal force for orbit.
What is the meaning of the term "attractive force" in physics?

A force that pulls objects toward each other, decreasing separation. Attractive forces pull objects together, not push them apart.
What is the direction of the gravitational force on an object relative to the other mass?

Toward the other mass (always pulls inward). Gravity pulls objects together, never pushes them apart.
What is the direction of the gravitational force on an object near Earth?

Toward Earth's center. Gravity always pulls objects toward the source of the gravitational field.
Which observation best supports that gravity is attractive: falling objects or magnets repelling?

Falling objects (they accelerate toward Earth). Objects fall down, not up, proving gravitational attraction.
Identify the action-reaction pair for gravity between masses $m_1$ and $m_2$ .

Each mass pulls the other with equal force in opposite directions. Newton's third law: forces are equal and opposite.
What does an orbit (for example, the Moon around Earth) show about gravity's direction?

Gravity provides inward (centripetal) acceleration toward the central body. Orbits require constant inward force, proving attraction.
Which option is correct: gravity between two objects is attractive, repulsive, or can be either?

Always attractive. Unlike electromagnetic forces, gravity never repels.

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