What force explains why planets orbit the Sun and moons orbit planets?

What force explains why planets orbit the Sun and moons orbit planets?

• A. Magnetism
• B. Inertia
• C. Gravity
• D. Friction

Answer: (C)

Gravity, the force of attraction between masses, explains why planets orbit the Sun and moons orbit planets. The Sun pulls on each planet, and each planet has forward motion. Gravity bends that straight-line motion into a curved path, so the planet stays at a consistent distance, forming an orbit. The motion and the gravitational pull balance to keep objects looping around instead of flying off or crashing inward. If gravity weren’t there, the planet would travel in a straight line away; with the right balance of speed and gravity, you get a stable orbit. Magnetism isn’t what binds planets to the Sun, and there’s very little friction in space, so those forces don’t drive these orbits.

Gravity, the force of attraction between masses, explains why planets orbit the Sun and moons orbit planets. The Sun pulls on each planet, and each planet has forward motion. Gravity bends that straight-line motion into a curved path, so the planet stays at a consistent distance, forming an orbit. The motion and the gravitational pull balance to keep objects looping around instead of flying off or crashing inward. If gravity weren’t there, the planet would travel in a straight line away; with the right balance of speed and gravity, you get a stable orbit. Magnetism isn’t what binds planets to the Sun, and there’s very little friction in space, so those forces don’t drive these orbits.