All the planets are moving in circular orbits. What provides the necessary force for this motion and what is the direction of this force? What will happen if this force disappears suddenly?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) $1$. The gravitational force exerted by the Sun on the planets provides the necessary centripetal force for their motion along a circular orbit.
$2$. The direction of this force is always towards the center of the orbit (i.e.,towards the Sun).
$3$. If this force were to disappear suddenly,the planet would no longer be able to maintain its circular path and would continue to move in a straight line along the tangent to its orbit at that point,as per Newton's first law of motion.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The force of gravitation between two bodies varies with the distance $r$ as:

The acceleration due to gravity at the moon's surface is $1.67 \, m s^{-2}$. If the radius of the moon is $1.74 \times 10^{6} \, m$,calculate the mass of the moon. (Use $G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11} \, N m^{2} kg^{-2}$)

The mass of the planet Jupiter is $1.9 \times 10^{27} \, kg$ and that of the Sun is $1.99 \times 10^{30} \, kg$. The mean distance of the Sun from Jupiter is $7.8 \times 10^{11} \, m$. Calculate the gravitational force which the Sun exerts on Jupiter.

When an object, say an apple, falls towards the Earth, the Earth rises up to meet it. Is this true? If so, why is the Earth's motion not noticeable?

Give reason: $A$ stone falls towards the earth,but the earth does not rise towards the stone.

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo