Is gravity only a theory?

Gravity is not solely a theory; it is both a law and a theory, depending on the context in which these terms are used within the scientific community.

Law of Gravity

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation is a law that describes the gravitational force between two masses. It provides a formula to calculate the force of attraction based on the masses and the distance between them. This law does not explain why gravity works, but rather how to quantify and predict the gravitational force145.

Theory of Gravity

On the other hand, a theory of gravity, such as Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, provides an explanation for why objects attract each other. General Relativity describes gravity as the result of the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. This theory explains the underlying mechanism of gravity and has been extensively tested and validated145.

In summary, gravity is described by both a law (Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation) that quantifies the force, and a theory (Einstein's General Relativity) that explains the underlying reasons for this force.