How does gravity affect the solar system?

Question

Lydia Allen · Accepted Answer

It is key to keeping the planets moving around the sun.

This figure shows how the mass of the sun creates a distortion in the space time continuum.

This picture shows earth's distortion in the space time continuum. The sun exerts a constant gravitational pull upon the earth. The earth, according to Newton's first law of motion, wants to move straight forward except the sun exerts just enough force upon the earth to alter the straight forward direction, this is also mentioned in Newton's first law as the "outside force."

With the earth moving at a constant speed and the sun's gravity pulling at a constant force the equation is balanced, the orbit is unchangeable unless the earth slows down, not possible, or the sun's gravity changes, also not possible since gravity is a factor of mass.

Christopher Ales · Answer

undefined The force that controls motion in the solar system is called gravity. It is responsible for the orbiting of celestial bodies, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, around more massive objects, such as the Sun. In addition, gravity plays a significant role in shaping the solar system's structure and form, influencing the formation of planets, their orbits, and their interactions with one another. Finally, gravity is essential to phenomena like tidal forces, which impact the orbits and rotation of celestial bodies, and gravitational interactions between objects, which can result in collisions, orbital modifications, and the formation of new celestial bodies.