A video shows the objects in the solar system orbiting the sun. Why do objects orbit the sun? (1 point)
Objects in the solar system orbit the sun due to the force of gravity.
Objects in the solar system orbit the sun due to the force of gravity. The force of gravity is a fundamental force in nature that attracts two objects towards each other. In this case, the sun's gravitational pull is what keeps objects, such as planets, asteroids, and comets, in orbit around it.
To understand why objects orbit the sun, we can use Newton's law of universal gravitation. This law states that any two objects with mass will attract each other with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. In the case of the solar system, the sun is much more massive than any other object, so its gravitational force dominates.
When an object is in orbit, it is essentially falling towards the sun due to gravity. However, it also has a forward motion or velocity that is tangential to its orbit. The combination of this forward velocity and the gravitational pull of the sun creates a perfect balance, resulting in a continuous state of free fall around the sun.
This orbital motion occurs because the inward force of gravity constantly changes the direction of the object's velocity, bending its path into a circular or elliptical orbit around the sun. The speed and distance of the orbit depend on the mass of the object and its distance from the sun.
Overall, objects orbit the sun due to the gravitational attraction between them. The force of gravity acts as a centripetal force, keeping the objects in their orbital paths around the sun.