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Inertia is the force that causes planets to move in a straight line. The gravity of a more massive body, such as the sun, causes them to fall into orbit instead of continuing in a straight line.

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βˆ™ 10y ago
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βˆ™ 11y ago

The simple answer is "gravity", but there's a bit more to it than that.

There are two types of forces needed to keep the planets in constant revolution around the Sun. They are Centripetal forces and Centrifugal forces.

Gravity provides the necessary centripetal force.

The centrifugal force keeps the planets from falling into the Sun because of the Sun's gravitational attraction.

"Centrifugal force" is technically called a "fictitious force". Sometimes it's referred to as the centrifugal effect.Basically it is caused by the inertia of the planets.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

The planets move in orbits that are nearly circular but not quite. They are ellipses with small eccentricity, so the orbits look like circles but with the Sun off-centre by a different amount for each planet (2.4 million kilometres for the Earth). The planets are kept in their orbits by the force of gravity from the Sun, which is very massive (330,000 times the mass of the Earth).

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The planets stay moving because there is nothing to stop them, but the force of gravity between planet and Sun keeps it in an elliptical orbit at a nearly constant distance from the Sun.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

Inertia

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Q: What force keep the planets in motion?
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What two things keep the planets in orbit?

The gravitational force from the Sun keeps planets in orbit around it. Additionally, the forward motion of the planets balances the pull of gravity, preventing them from falling into the Sun.


What were the two factors Isaac Newton concluded that combined to keep the planets in orbit?

Isaac Newton concluded that the force of gravity and the forward motion of the planets combined to keep them in orbit around the Sun. The force of gravity pulls the planets towards the Sun, while the forward motion of the planets creates the centrifugal force that counteracts gravity, leading to stable orbits.


What keeps the planets and sun in orbit?

The question probably means "What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?" The answer to that is : The Sun's gravitational attraction provides the force needed to keep the planets in orbit. This force doesn't pull the planets any closer to the Sun, but it stops the planets moving away (at a tangent to their orbits) due to their own velocities.


Why the planets keeps on their orbits?

The planets continue on their orbits due to a balance between the gravitational force pulling them toward the sun and their velocity providing the necessary centripetal force to keep them in motion. This balance creates a stable orbit as the planets move around the sun.


What outside force prevents the planets from moving in a straight line into space?

The gravitational force produced by the sun keeps the planets in orbit around it. This force pulls the planets toward the sun, creating a continuous circular motion rather than a straight line out into space.

Related questions

What is the inward force of the sun on the planets?

gravity not to sure tho


What does gravity have to do with the motion of the planets?

The gravitational force between planets supplies the centripetal force that causes them to orbit each other.


What two things keep the planets in orbit?

The gravitational force from the Sun keeps planets in orbit around it. Additionally, the forward motion of the planets balances the pull of gravity, preventing them from falling into the Sun.


What were the two factors Isaac Newton concluded that combined to keep the planets in orbit?

Isaac Newton concluded that the force of gravity and the forward motion of the planets combined to keep them in orbit around the Sun. The force of gravity pulls the planets towards the Sun, while the forward motion of the planets creates the centrifugal force that counteracts gravity, leading to stable orbits.


Why do Newton's laws show a force must be acting on the planets?

Newton's laws of motion state that an object at rest remains at rest and an object in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by a force. Since planets are constantly moving in their orbits, the fact that they do not travel in a straight line but follow a curved path implies that a force, such as gravity, must be acting on them to keep them in orbit around the Sun.


How do the planets in the motion?

According to the Newton's first law of motion,each body continues it's motion until a force is exerted.In the outer space there might be no force in the opposite direction which is capable to make the planets stationery even after the BIG BANG THEORY.


Is a force to keep an object in motion?

A force is not required to keep an object in motion, according to Newton's First Law of Motion. An object in motion will continue moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force that causes a change in its motion.


What keeps the planets and sun in orbit?

The question probably means "What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?" The answer to that is : The Sun's gravitational attraction provides the force needed to keep the planets in orbit. This force doesn't pull the planets any closer to the Sun, but it stops the planets moving away (at a tangent to their orbits) due to their own velocities.


Is a force required to keep an odject in motion?

no


Is a force requierd to keep a object in motion?

No


What is the major force in universe?

Gravity is considered to be the major force in the universe, governing the motion of planets, stars, and galaxies.


Why the planets keeps on their orbits?

The planets continue on their orbits due to a balance between the gravitational force pulling them toward the sun and their velocity providing the necessary centripetal force to keep them in motion. This balance creates a stable orbit as the planets move around the sun.