Which of the following statements best describes gravitational force?

Gravitational force is a fundamental interaction that arises from the mass of objects, and it operates through the force of attraction between them without necessitating direct contact. This force acts on any object with mass, regardless of the distance separating them, following the principle that any two masses will exert an attractive force on each other.

The notion that gravitational force acts without direct contact highlights its nature as a long-range force, which contrasts other forces like friction. While friction requires two surfaces to be in contact to exert a force, gravitational force can still influence objects even from a distance, such as when it keeps planets in orbit around stars or affects the trajectory of a projectile.

The other options fall short in capturing the essence of gravitational force. For instance, statements about gravitational force only impacting direct contact, being greater than frictional force, or being limited to falling objects do not accurately portray its universal application. Gravitational force permeates various scenarios, impacting everything from the position of celestial bodies to everyday objects on Earth, cementing its importance in both fundamental physics and practical engineering contexts.