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

Responses

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.

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

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.

To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the historical context of Newton's theory. Isaac Newton developed his theory of universal gravitation in the late 17th century. However, he was not the first scientist to propose the idea that gravity increases as the distance between objects decreases.

Before Newton, scientists such as Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler made significant contributions to our understanding of gravity. Kepler formulated his three laws of planetary motion, which described the motion of planets around the Sun. These laws implied the existence of a force that governed the motion of celestial bodies.

Additionally, Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system, which replaced the geocentric model. While Copernicus didn't directly address gravity, his ideas about the motion of planets paved the way for further scientific investigation.

However, it was Isaac Newton who mathematically described the existence of gravitational force and formulated the theory of universal gravitation. He built upon the work of his predecessors, including Kepler's laws and Galileo's experiments with motion.

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