Gravity keeps planets in orbit from "summary" of A Short History of Nearly Everything: Special Illustrated Edition by Bill Bryson
The force that keeps the planets in orbit is gravity. It is an astonishingly simple concept, yet it is one of the most fundamental forces in the universe. Gravity is the invisible tug that exists between all objects with mass. The greater the mass of an object, the stronger its gravitational pull. In the case of planets orbiting around the sun, gravity is what keeps them in their elliptical paths. The sun's immense mass creates a gravitational force that pulls the planets towards it. At the same time, the planets are also in motion, trying to move in a straight line according to Newton's first law of motion. However, the gravitational force from the sun bends the path of the planets, causing them to move in a curved orbit. Interestingly, the ...
Similar Posts
Exoplanets exhibit a wide range of characteristics
Exoplanets, those distant worlds orbiting stars beyond our solar system, are a fascinating subject of study for astronomers and...
Training prepares astronauts
Astronauts undergo extensive training to prepare for their missions in outer space. This training is crucial in ensuring they a...
Wormholes could serve as cosmic shortcuts
In the vast expanse of the cosmos, where distances are measured in the trillions of miles, the idea of traveling from one end o...
Doppler effect changes frequency of sound waves
The Doppler effect is a phenomenon that occurs when there is relative motion between a source of sound waves and an observer. W...
Wormholes and quantum foam illustrate the dynamic nature of reality
Wormholes and quantum foam offer a peek into the ever-changing and unpredictable nature of reality. They demonstrate how the fa...
Earth is just a pale blue dot in the grand scheme of the universe
When we look up at the night sky, we see a vast expanse of stars, galaxies, and nebulae stretching out in every direction. It c...
Life on Earth resulted from universe’s conditions
The existence of life on Earth is a result of the particular conditions that prevail in our universe. These conditions, which i...
Astronauts undergo training
Astronauts preparing to journey into space must undergo extensive training to ensure they are fully prepared for the challenges...