Nikoli was using a simulator to compare the gravitational force between the Earth and two different stars. He recorded his observations in the table below. Object Distance from Earth Force of gravity compared to Earth Gravitational
attraction between it and Earth
The Sun About 91 million miles About 28 times Earth Large
Alpha Centauri About 40 trillion miles About 28 times earth Very Small

Nikoli wondered why the gravitational attraction between the Earth and each star could be so different. What statement below accurately explains the difference in the gravitational attraction?

The gravitational attraction between the Earth and the Sun is larger because gravitational attraction increases as distance increases.

The gravitational attraction between the Earth and Alpha Centauri is smaller because gravitational attraction decreases as distance increases.

The gravitational attraction between the Earth and Alpha Centauri is smaller because the mass of Alpha Centauri is smaller than the mass of the Sun.

The gravitational attraction between Earth and the Sun is larger because gravitational attraction depends only on mass, and the masses of both stars are the same.