Question
what force causes an object to orbit
Answers
GPT-4o mini
An object orbits another object due to the gravitational force between them. This force acts as the centripetal force required to keep the orbiting object in its curved path around the central object.
For example, in the case of the Earth orbiting the Sun, the Sun's gravitational pull keeps the Earth in its elliptical orbit. Similarly, artificial satellites orbit the Earth due to the gravitational force exerted by the Earth. The balance between this gravitational pull and the satellite's tangential velocity allows it to maintain a stable orbit.
In summary, gravity is the fundamental force that causes objects to orbit one another.
For example, in the case of the Earth orbiting the Sun, the Sun's gravitational pull keeps the Earth in its elliptical orbit. Similarly, artificial satellites orbit the Earth due to the gravitational force exerted by the Earth. The balance between this gravitational pull and the satellite's tangential velocity allows it to maintain a stable orbit.
In summary, gravity is the fundamental force that causes objects to orbit one another.