Which scientist defined the laws of motion and gravity, attempting to explain motion in the universe?

The correct answer is Isaac Newton, who fundamentally shaped our understanding of motion through his formulation of the laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation. Newton articulated three key laws: the first law (an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force), the second law (the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object times its acceleration), and the third law (for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction). Additionally, his law of gravitation describes how every mass attracts every other mass in the universe, providing a comprehensive mathematical framework for understanding celestial and terrestrial motion.

Newton's contributions laid the groundwork for classical mechanics, enabling scientists and mathematicians to predict and explain movements ranging from falling apples to the orbits of planets. His work stands as a foundational pillar in the field of physics, influencing countless discoveries and advancements in science and engineering that followed.