0
There are two factors; the tangential velocity, and the gravitational force. The planets have a tangential velocity, they are speeding along sideways relative to the sun. If there was no gravity, this velocity would take the planets away from the sun, but the sun has a huge gravitational force which counteracts this effect. The suns gravitational force is constantly attracting the planets in, against this tangential velocity. If the planets were to slow down, then they would eventually spiral into the sun, but in space there is no drag, so the planets maintain their speed and their orbits.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How do gravity and inertia determine the orbit of a planet?
Gravity between a planet and its star keep the planet in orbit, pulling it towards the star. Inertia prevents the planet from falling into the star by providing the necessary momentum to keep the planet moving in a curved path. The balance of gravitational force and inertia determines the shape and stability of the planet's orbit.
How inertia and gravity combine to keep earth in orbit?
gravity and inertia combine to keep earth in orbit because the suns gravity keeps the earth in orbit and the inertia keeps the earth from going in a straight line.
How are all the planets kept in orbit by gravity?
The sun's gravity exerts a constant force on each planet in the direction straight toward the sun, but the law of inertia tries to keep the planet moving in a straight line. The resultant force from the vector addition of those two forces keeps the planet in its orbit.
What forces keep the comet in orbit around the sun?
The comet is kept in orbit around the sun by the gravitational pull between the comet and the sun. This gravitational force acts as a centripetal force, keeping the comet moving in its elliptical orbit.
What are the 2 factors that keep the planets in orbit?
The two factors that keep planets in orbit are gravity and the forward motion they gained during their formation. Gravity pulls the planet towards the sun, but the forward motion prevents the planet from falling into the sun, leading to a stable orbit.
What two forces keep a planet in orbit?
Gravity and Enertia (Not that sure on the spelling of the last one)
How do gravity and inertia determine the orbit of a planet?
Gravity between a planet and its star keep the planet in orbit, pulling it towards the star. Inertia prevents the planet from falling into the star by providing the necessary momentum to keep the planet moving in a curved path. The balance of gravitational force and inertia determines the shape and stability of the planet's orbit.
How inertia and gravity combine to keep earth in orbit?
gravity and inertia combine to keep earth in orbit because the suns gravity keeps the earth in orbit and the inertia keeps the earth from going in a straight line.
How can the planets orbit the sun?
It is the natural tendency for an object in motion to keep moving at the same speed in a straight line. Meanwhile gravity is trying to pull each planet toward the sun. The two forces combine to keep the planets in their elliptical orbits. They have enough forward momentum to keep them from falling into the sun, and they have enough pull from the sun to keep them from following a straight path out of the solar system.
What forces keep the planet in its orbit?
They are the gravitational pull of the Sun and the "centrifugal force". In fact centrifugal force is not a "real" force. The effect is really caused by the inertia of the planet. That's its tendency to move in a straight line unless acted on by a force. The planet is acted on by the force of gravity. The result is that the planet follows a curved path - its orbit.
How are all the planets kept in orbit by gravity?
The sun's gravity exerts a constant force on each planet in the direction straight toward the sun, but the law of inertia tries to keep the planet moving in a straight line. The resultant force from the vector addition of those two forces keeps the planet in its orbit.
What forces keep the comet in orbit around the sun?
The comet is kept in orbit around the sun by the gravitational pull between the comet and the sun. This gravitational force acts as a centripetal force, keeping the comet moving in its elliptical orbit.
Is the satellite subjected to gravitational pull?
Not at all. The mutual gravitational force that attracts the satellite and the earth toward each other is exactly what keeps the satellite in orbit. Without it, the satellite would just take off in a straight line away from the vicinity of the earth.
What are the forces that keep objects in orbit and how are these forces affected by distance?
The forces are gravitational forces. They become weaker with distance and mass reduction
How do Saturn's rings stay in orbit?
The gravitational pull of the planet Saturn keep it's rings in orbit.
What two factors keep a planet in orbit around the sun?
Two factors that keep a planet in orbit around the sun are the planet's velocity and the gravitational pull of the sun. The planet's velocity creates a forward motion that prevents it from falling into the sun, while the sun's gravitational pull keeps the planet moving in a curved path, which forms its orbit.
What forces does the sun use to keep the planets in orbit?
solar power
