Question

What prevents the gravity of the sun to pull all of the planets towards it?(1 point)
Responses

the planets' speed as they orbit the sun
the planets' speed as they orbit the sun

the size and shape of the planets around the sun
the size and shape of the planets around the sun

the large distance of the planets from the sun
the large distance of the planets from the sun

the sun's weak gravity

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The correct response is: **the planets' speed as they orbit the sun.**

The planets are in stable orbits around the Sun due to their tangential speed, which balances the gravitational pull of the Sun. This combination of a planet's inertia (its tendency to move in a straight line) and the gravitational attraction from the Sun results in an elliptical orbit rather than a direct fall into the Sun.