The concept of gravity was famously formulated by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century. He proposed that every mass attracts every other mass with a force that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This idea was encapsulated in his law of universal gravitation.
However, the understanding of gravity has evolved over time. Before Newton, scientists like Galileo Galilei had already begun to study the effects of gravity through experiments. Galileo’s experiments with falling objects laid the groundwork for later theories. Newton built upon this foundation and provided a mathematical framework that explained how gravity operates in the universe.
It’s also important to note that Albert Einstein later expanded our understanding with his theory of general relativity in the early 20th century. Einstein described gravity not just as a force but as a curvature of space-time caused by mass. This provided a deeper insight into how gravity works, particularly in extreme conditions, such as near massive celestial bodies.
In summary, while Sir Isaac Newton is credited with the discovery and formulation of the laws of gravity, the understanding of gravitational force has been enriched by subsequent scientists, including Galileo and Einstein.