Universal Gravitation

Question 1

Imagine that the force of gravity between the Earth and the Sun could be switched off. Which of the following best describes what would happen to Earth’s path through space immediately after the gravity is turned off?

Accepted Answer

Earth would travel in a straight line that is tangent to its orbit at the point where gravity stopped.

Answer

Earth would move in a larger, more distant circular orbit around the Sun.

Answer

Earth would fall directly toward the Sun.

Answer

Earth would come to a complete stop in space.

Question 2

Which statement best explains how gravity influences the motion of Earth as it travels around the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Gravity continuously pulls Earth toward the Sun, causing Earth to fall around the Sun in an orbit.

Answer

Gravity pushes Earth away from the Sun, so Earth moves in a circular path because of this outward force.

Answer

Gravity does not affect Earth’s motion; Earth stays in orbit only because it was given an initial speed.

Answer

Gravity only works on objects that are touching each other, so it cannot act on Earth in space.

Question 3

In a classroom model, the teacher shows a diagram of the solar system with the Sun at the center and the planets moving in circular paths around it. The teacher explains that the motion is due to gravity. Which statement best describes how gravity keeps the planets in their orbits?

Accepted Answer

The Sun’s gravity continuously pulls the planets toward it, causing them to travel in a curved path around the Sun instead of moving away in a straight line.

Answer

The planets move in circles because they are pushed outward by the Sun’s heat, which balances the pull of gravity.

Answer

The Sun’s gravity holds the planets in place, so they do not move at all.

Answer

The planets stay in orbit because they are moving fast enough that they never feel the Sun’s gravity.

Try three questions

Imagine that the force of gravity between the Earth and the Sun could be switched off. Which of the following best describes what would happen to Earth’s path through space immediately after the gravity is turned off?

Which statement best explains how gravity influences the motion of Earth as it travels around the Sun?

In a classroom model, the teacher shows a diagram of the solar system with the Sun at the center and the planets moving in circular paths around it. The teacher explains that the motion is due to gravity. Which statement best describes how gravity keeps the planets in their orbits?

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