Gravity Quick Check

Question

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

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

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

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

Answer 1

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 planets' tangential speed. This circular motion is what keeps them from being pulled directly into the sun.