TLDR: We aren’t entirely sure yet
Gravity is one of the fundamental forces of nature, but unlike the other forces like electromagnetism, the strong force, and the weak force, Gravity doesn’t have an opposite (that we are aware of) that cancels it out. It is also the weakest of the forces by far but also seems to accumulate without limit.
What we perceive as Gravity is a warping of the fabric of spacetime and appears to be directly linked to mass. Objects do not fall towards a massive object because there is some kind of particle or force pulling on it, but rather because spacetime itself has become warped so objects fall towards each other like a ball rolling down a hill.
One current theory is that mass, and by extension gravity, is imparted onto things by the presence of sub atomic particles. This might be the Higgs Boson, or a theoretical particle called a Graviton.
It wouldn’t be gravitons flying out and pulling on an object that causes gravity, but rather the presence of gravitons warps or bends space
Spacetime is curved downwards, which makes nearby objects “roll” (move) towards the object.
Think of it like this: You have a trampoline, and you place a big heavy bowling ball right on it. It rolls right to the center of the trampoline, and there is now a big circular dent around it. You put a golf ball somewhat near this dent, and it will roll down the slope and bump into the bowling ball. This dent is gravity and the trampoline is spacetime. (disclaimer: not a scientist or expert, Wikipedia ususally explains these things pretty well)
TLDR: Science hasn’t progressed that far. We don’t know
The only thing we yet know about the ’cause’ of gravity is attributed to a particle known as graviton. It is also speculated and not yet proven.
There are 4 fundamental forces in the world. Arranged in descending power of strength:
1. Strong nuclear force
2. Weak nuclear force
3. Electromagnetic force ( a.k.a Coulomb’s force )
4. Gravitational force
Only 2nd and 3rd are bit understood in terms of cause. 1st and 4th are not. The day we understand the cause, mathematical relationship and pan-force analogy, we’ll have reached the Grand Unified Theory ( GUT ) which was and is the wet dream of thousands of physicists/ astro-physicists throughout the world and decades.
So your question is.. so when will the GUT be ready?
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