What is a gravitational field?

A gravitational field refers to a region of space surrounding a mass where other masses experience a force of attraction. This concept is grounded in the understanding of gravity, which is the force that pulls objects with mass towards one another. Essentially, any object with mass generates a gravitational field, which influences the motion of other nearby masses. For example, the Earth has a gravitational field that pulls objects, including people and satellites, towards its center, and this is why we feel weight.

Gravitational fields are key in explaining how celestial bodies interact with one another, guiding the orbits of planets, moons, and even artificial satellites. This understanding aligns well with Newton's law of universal gravitation, which articulates the relationship between masses and the forces acting upon them within the gravitational field.

While other choices reference concepts like matter, energy, or electromagnetic fields, they do not accurately define a gravitational field in the context of physics. Thus, identifying a gravitational field specifically as a force field surrounding all mass captures its essence and implications most accurately.