Gravity Quick Check

3 of 43 of 4 Items
Question
What prevents the gravity of the sun to pull all of the planets towards it?(1 point)
Responses

the sun's weak gravity
the sun's weak gravity

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 planets' speed as they orbit the sun

1 answer

The correct response is:

the planets' speed as they orbit the sun.

The planets are in orbit around the sun due to a balance between the gravitational pull of the sun and the inertia of the planets due to their orbital speed. This balance allows them to remain in stable orbits rather than being pulled directly into the sun.