The depiction of gravitational waves as outwardly propagating ripples is a visual representation used to help understand how gravitational waves behave and spread through spacetime. It is a simplification for illustrative purposes and does not represent the actual force of gravity.
Gravitational waves themselves do not directly represent the force of gravity that attracts masses toward their centers. Gravity, as described by general relativity, is a curvature of spacetime caused by mass or energy. Massive objects create a gravitational field, and other objects in that field experience a force that pulls them towards the center of the massive object.
Gravitational waves, on the other hand, represent disturbances in the curvature of spacetime itself. When massive objects accelerate or undergo gravitational interactions, they generate these waves, which propagate outward from the source. They are ripples in the fabric of spacetime that carry energy away from the source.
The depiction of gravitational waves as outwardly propagating ripples is useful in visualizing how these disturbances propagate through spacetime. It helps convey the idea that gravitational waves spread out from their source, much like ripples on the surface of a pond when a stone is thrown in.
It's important to remember that the depiction of gravitational waves as outward ripples should not be confused with the actual force of gravity that attracts objects towards the center. The two concepts are distinct and represent different aspects of gravitational interactions.