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41 - Gravity and Our Earth/Moon/Sun System

Last updated about 2 years ago

5 questions

Link to Simulation

2

2

2

2

2

INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Go to "Model"
2) Select the image with the Sun - Earth
3) Turn on "GRAVITY FORCE"
4) Turn on "VELOCITY"
5) Push "PLAY"

Question 1

1.

What keeps Earth in orbit around the Sun?

The Sun actually goes around Earth... That is why we see it rise, move across the sky, and set.

See... There is this little blue arrow that actually exists and pulls Earth toward the Sun.

Wait... That blue arrow represents GRAVITY.  There is a gravitational force between Earth and the Sun that keeps it in orbit.

Planets just like to go in circles... it's what they would do even if there weren't a star.

Question 2

2.

Increase the mass of either the Sun or Earth.

it doesn't change anything

mass schmass

gravity decreases

gravity increases

INSTRUCTIONS:
1) check the image with "SUN - EARTH - MOON"

Question 3

3.

What keeps out Moon in orbit around Earth?

the gravitational pull of the Sun

Moons are just like planets.  They  just like to go in circles... it's what they would do even if there weren't a planet to orbit.

Aliens... definitely aliens

the gravitational pull between Earth and the Moon

Question 4

4.

There would be a gravitational force between the Moon and the Sun.

True

False

Question 5

5.

Does the Moon also orbit the Sun?

no... it only orbits Earth

there is no way the moon orbits Earth anyway since the Earth is flat

Yep... and it is orbiting Earth at the same time