Question
Which of these can happen to objects in the solar system that do not have the momentum to maintain a stable orbit around the sun? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)
Responses
They can fall into circular orbits.
They can fall into circular orbits.
They can spiral into the sun.
They can spiral into the sun.
They can follow erratic orbits that take on different shapes.
They can follow erratic orbits that take on different shapes.
They can swing around the sun and be ejected outward into space.
Responses
They can fall into circular orbits.
They can fall into circular orbits.
They can spiral into the sun.
They can spiral into the sun.
They can follow erratic orbits that take on different shapes.
They can follow erratic orbits that take on different shapes.
They can swing around the sun and be ejected outward into space.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The two correct answers for objects in the solar system that do not have the momentum to maintain a stable orbit around the sun are:
1. They can spiral into the sun.
2. They can swing around the sun and be ejected outward into space.
Objects without enough momentum to maintain a stable orbit may gradually lose their orbital energy and fall inward towards the sun, or they may interact gravitationally with other objects (such as through close encounters) and exit the solar system altogether.
1. They can spiral into the sun.
2. They can swing around the sun and be ejected outward into space.
Objects without enough momentum to maintain a stable orbit may gradually lose their orbital energy and fall inward towards the sun, or they may interact gravitationally with other objects (such as through close encounters) and exit the solar system altogether.