What natural force is responsible for pulling objects toward the Earth?

The force that pulls objects toward the Earth is gravity. This fundamental force of nature is responsible for the attraction between masses, particularly between the Earth and objects with mass. Gravity is what keeps us grounded, making it possible for us to stand on the surface of the Earth without floating away.

It operates universally, meaning every object with mass exerts a gravitational force on other objects. The strength of this force depends on the masses of the objects involved and the distance between them. In the case of Earth, its large mass creates a significant gravitational pull that affects everything from falling apples to the motion of planets in space.

While friction is a force that can act against motion between surfaces, inertia relates to an object's resistance to changes in its state of motion, and momentum describes the quantity of motion an object has. These concepts, while essential in understanding motion and forces, do not specifically contribute to the attraction between the Earth and other objects in the way that gravity does.