Which statement about the development of Newton's theory of universal gravitation is correct?(1 point)

Question

Responses

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

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.

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.

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.

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 work was indeed influenced by the earlier contributions of scientists such as Galileo and Kepler. He mathematically formulated the law of universal gravitation, but he did not work in isolation; rather, he built upon existing scientific knowledge.