The forces of gravity and inertia together are both responsible for(1 point) Responses eclipses eclipses phases phases tides tides orbits
orbits
The forces of gravity and inertia together are both responsible for orbits.
The forces of gravity and inertia together are responsible for orbits.
To understand why, let's break it down:
Gravity is the force of attraction between two objects with mass. In the case of orbits, it refers to the gravitational pull between celestial bodies such as planets, moons, and stars. Gravity plays a crucial role in keeping objects in their respective orbits.
Inertia, on the other hand, is a property of matter that describes its tendency to resist changes in motion. An object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will continue moving in a straight line, unless acted upon by an external force.
Now, when it comes to orbits, inertia comes into play. Imagine a spacecraft or a satellite launched into space. Initially, it has a forward velocity due to the launch. However, as it moves away from Earth's surface, the Earth's gravity pulls it back towards the planet. The spacecraft tries to continue moving in a straight line, but gravity continuously pulls it towards the Earth.
These opposing forces of gravity and inertia create a delicate balance. The gravitational force pulls the spacecraft inward, while the inertia pushes it outward. When the two forces balance perfectly, the object settles into a stable orbit - where it continuously falls towards the Earth but misses it due to its forward motion. This perpetual falling, along with the object's sideways velocity, creates a circular or elliptical orbit.
In summary, the forces of gravity and inertia work together to maintain objects in stable orbits by balancing the gravitational pull with the object's inherent tendency to keep moving in a straight line.