Question

Which statement about the development of Newton's theory of universal gravitation is correct?
Responses

Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton worked together to define gravity as a force on Earth.
Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton worked together to define gravity as a force on Earth. - no response given

Isaac Newton was the first scientist to propose the idea that gravity increases as distance between objects decreases.
Isaac Newton was the first scientist to propose the idea that gravity increases as distance between objects decreases. - no response given

The ideas of scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Robert Hooke contradicted Newton's theory of universal gravitation.
The ideas of scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Robert Hooke contradicted Newton's theory of universal gravitation. - no response given

Isaac Newton described the existence of gravitational force mathematically, but he built upon the ideas of other scientists before him.

Answer 1

The correct statement about the development of Newton's theory of universal gravitation is:

**Isaac Newton described the existence of gravitational force mathematically, but he built upon the ideas of other scientists before him.**

Newton's theory of universal gravitation was influenced by the work of earlier scientists, including Johannes Kepler, who formulated laws of planetary motion, and Robert Hooke, among others. Newton's ability to mathematically express the gravitational force was a significant development in our understanding of gravity.