A student claims that the planets orbit the Sun because of gravitational force. Which statement best supports this claim? (1 point)
A. The Sun has more mass than the planets.
B. Planets rotate on their axis faster than the Sun.
C. The Sun was the first part of the solar system to form.
D. Planets are farther from the center of the solar system.
A. The Sun has more mass than the planets.
The best statement that supports the student's claim that the planets orbit the Sun because of gravitational force is:
A. The Sun has more mass than the planets.
Explanation: Gravitational force is directly related to the mass of an object. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force that is directly proportional to their masses. Since the Sun has a significantly larger mass than the planets, it exerts a stronger gravitational force on them. This gravitational force is what keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun. Therefore, statement A is the best choice because it directly links the relationship between mass and gravitational force.
The statement that best supports the claim that the planets orbit the Sun because of gravitational force is:
A. The Sun has more mass than the planets.
Gravitational force depends on the mass of the objects involved. The Sun has a much greater mass compared to the planets, which results in a stronger gravitational force. This force causes the planets to orbit the Sun.