What is the term for the force that pulls objects toward the Earth?

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The term that refers to the force that pulls objects toward the Earth is gravity. Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that attracts two bodies towards each other, and it is most commonly experienced as the force that keeps us anchored to the surface of the Earth. This force is proportional to the mass of the objects involved; more massive objects exert a stronger gravitational pull.

When we think of gravity, we often associate it with the weight of an object, which is a consequence of the gravitational pull exerted by the Earth. The strength of Earth's gravity determines how quickly objects fall when dropped and influences various phenomena, such as the orbits of planets around the Sun.

The other terms provided, such as magnetism, friction, and inertia, refer to different physical concepts. Magnetism involves the force exerted by magnets and magnetic fields, friction is the resistance that occurs when two surfaces slide against each other, and inertia is the tendency of objects to resist changes in their state of motion. None of these concepts primarily describes the force that pulls objects toward the Earth, which is why gravity is the correct choice.

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