what keeps the moon traveling in the same path eah time it orbits earth
The moon keeps traveling in the same path each time it orbits the Earth because of the combination of its orbital velocity and the gravitational pull between the Earth and the moon.
To understand how this works, we need to first understand the concepts of velocity and gravitational force.
1. Velocity: Velocity is the speed of an object in a specific direction. In the case of the moon, it has a certain velocity that allows it to move in a curved path around the Earth.
2. Gravitational force: Every object with mass exerts a force called gravity on other objects around it. In this case, the Earth's mass creates a gravitational force that attracts the moon towards it.
Now, let's combine these concepts to explain why the moon stays in the same path:
1. Orbital velocity: The moon has a specific velocity, known as its orbital velocity, which is determined by the combination of its mass and the distance between the Earth and the moon. This velocity allows the moon to keep moving in a curved path around the Earth.
2. Gravitational pull: The Earth's gravitational force attracts the moon towards it. At the same time, the moon is moving forward due to its orbital velocity. These two forces interact in a way that creates a balance. The gravitational pull from the Earth constantly changes the moon's direction, pulling it towards the Earth. However, the moon's velocity keeps it moving forward, causing it to continuously fall in a curved path while also orbiting the Earth.
This delicate balance between the moon's velocity and the gravitational force from the Earth is what keeps the moon traveling in the same path each time it orbits the Earth.