What prevents the gravity of the sun to pull all of the planets towards it?

Question

A. the large distance of the planets from the sun to pull all of the planets towards
B. the sun's weak gravity
C. the planet's speed as they orbit the sun
D. the size and shape of the planets around the sun

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

C. the planet's speed as they orbit the sun

The planets are kept in their orbits around the Sun due to a balance between the gravitational pull of the Sun and the inertia of the planets, which results from their orbital speed. As a planet moves forward in its orbit, the gravitational force of the Sun pulls it towards the Sun, but the planet's speed causes it to move forward, preventing it from falling directly into the Sun. This balance between gravitational pull and orbital velocity keeps the planets in stable orbits around the Sun.