The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Gravitational Force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, governing the interaction between all matter possessing mass.
- Statement 1 is correct: Gravitational force is inherently an attractive force. According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle. Unlike electromagnetic forces, which can be attractive or repulsive, gravity never repels.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Gravitation is a universal force. It is not limited to objects on Earth. It acts between any two objects with mass anywhere in the universe, governing the motion of planets, stars, and galaxies.
- Statement 3 is correct: Gravitational force is a non-contact force (or action-at-a-distance force). It operates between objects without the need for physical contact. For instance, the Sun exerts a gravitational pull on the Earth across the vacuum of space.
Key Takeaway: Gravitation is a universal, always attractive, non-contact force that acts between all masses in the universe, regardless of their location.