ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)General Science (GS)Medium
A spacecraft is launched from Earth and travels to Mars. During its journey, which fundamental force is primarily responsible for keeping the spacecraft in a predictable trajectory around the Sun and then enabling it to orbit Mars?
- AElectromagnetic force
- BStrong nuclear force
- CWeak nuclear force
- DGravitational force
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Gravitational force
Gravitational force is the attractive force between any two objects with mass. It is the primary force governing the motion of celestial bodies, including planets orbiting the Sun and spacecraft orbiting planets.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Electromagnetic force governs interactions between charged particles and light, not large-scale orbital mechanics.
- B. Strong nuclear force holds atomic nuclei together, acting over extremely short distances.
- C. Weak nuclear force is involved in radioactive decay, acting over extremely short distances.
Gravitational Force
The attractive force that exists between all objects that have mass.
- One of the four fundamental forces of nature.
- Strength depends on the masses of the objects and the distance between them.
- Responsible for planetary orbits, tides, and objects falling to Earth.
Memory trick: Gravity pulls, EM attracts/repels, Strong binds, Weak decays.