Asked by udontknow
Why do the planets in our solar system stay in their positions?
They travel at the same distance from each other.
The sun’s radiation keeps them in place.
Friction with the atmosphere keeps them from escaping.
The sun’s gravity keeps them in place.
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
The correct answer is: The sun’s gravity keeps them in place.
Brief explanation: Planets move forward (inertia) but are constantly pulled toward the Sun by its gravity. That gravitational pull provides the centripetal force that bends their straight-line motion into nearly circular or elliptical orbits (Newton’s laws / Kepler’s laws).
Why the other choices are wrong:
- They do not all travel at the same distance from each other; their distances vary and orbits are independent.
- Sunlight (radiation) exerts only a tiny pressure, negligible for planets (it affects dust and very small objects).
- There is essentially no atmosphere in space to create friction; planets don’t need friction to stay in orbit.
Brief explanation: Planets move forward (inertia) but are constantly pulled toward the Sun by its gravity. That gravitational pull provides the centripetal force that bends their straight-line motion into nearly circular or elliptical orbits (Newton’s laws / Kepler’s laws).
Why the other choices are wrong:
- They do not all travel at the same distance from each other; their distances vary and orbits are independent.
- Sunlight (radiation) exerts only a tiny pressure, negligible for planets (it affects dust and very small objects).
- There is essentially no atmosphere in space to create friction; planets don’t need friction to stay in orbit.
Submit Your Answer
We prioritize human answers over AI answers.
If you are human, and you can answer this question, please submit your answer.