Which force is responsible for attraction between mass?

Prepare for the NCEA Level 2 Physics Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The attraction between masses is specifically due to the gravitational force. This fundamental force acts between any two objects that have mass, regardless of their size. It is described by Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that every point mass attracts every other point mass in the universe with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

Gravitational force is what keeps planets in orbit around stars, determines the trajectories of objects in free fall, and shapes the structure of galaxies. It is a long-range force that acts over large distances, which is unlike the electromagnetic force, which primarily governs interactions between charged particles.

While the nuclear force is responsible for holding protons and neutrons together in an atomic nucleus, it does not have a significant effect on the attraction between larger masses. Frictional force, on the other hand, is a contact force that opposes the motion between surfaces in contact and is not responsible for attraction between masses in a gravitational sense.

Thus, the correct answer reflects the specific fundamental interaction responsible for the attraction of mass, which is the gravitational force.

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