How can you apply physics to a GameObject in Unity?

Applying physics to a GameObject in Unity is primarily achieved by adding a Rigidbody component. The Rigidbody component allows the GameObject to interact with the physics engine in Unity, enabling it to respond to forces, gravity, and collisions. When a Rigidbody is attached to a GameObject, Unity treats it as a physical object that can be subjected to various physical behaviors, such as movement and rotation driven by physics rather than manual transformations.

A Collider component can be used in conjunction with a Rigidbody to define the shape of the GameObject for collision detection. However, a Collider alone does not apply physics behaviors; it simply helps the physics engine understand how the GameObject interacts with other objects. The AudioSource component relates to sound and does not contribute to physical behavior or interactions in a physics simulation. Connecting the GameObject to a script may enable some custom physics behavior, but it is not the primary means of applying physics. Thus, the Rigidbody component is essential for the GameObject to participate fully in the physics system in Unity.