answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Yes, as strange as it sounds the earth is accelerating in the direction of the sun.

However when we say that, we are not suggesting that it is speeding up in the direction of the sun but merely that its velocity is changing in the direction of the sun.

It is important to understand that a velocity not only has a magnitude but it also has a direction. In general, if the magnitude and/or direction of an object's velocity is changing, we say that it is accelerating.

This means that if something is traveling and only the direction that it is traveling changes, we still say it is accelerating because the direction of its velocity is changing.

This is the case when something is traveling in a circle at constant speed. If you where to represent its velocity by a vector you would find that while the magnitude of the vector does not change over time, the direction of the vector does. In fact, over a very short period of time, if you where to represent the change in direction of its velocity by a vector, you would find that that "difference vector" points directly toward the center of the circle.

Again, this is all a bit confusing because when we generally use the word "accelerate" we mean that something is speeding up. However one just has to get use to the idea that when something is accelerating, it may be that only the direction of its velocity is changing and not necessarily its magnitude.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

6mo ago

Technically, yes, the Earth accelerates as it orbits the Sun due to the constant change in direction. However, this acceleration does not result in a change in speed because the gravitational force of the Sun keeps the Earth in a stable orbit.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

-- The Earth traverses a closed, curved path around the sun.

-- Therefore, it doesn't move at constant speed in a straight line.

-- Therefore its motion is accelerated.

The force responsible for the acceleration is the centripetal gravitational force.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

A satellite that is circling the Earth is only accelerating only when it is losing its orbit. Otherwise, it will continue at its current speed or decelerate.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

if your considering that there is no air resistance then acceleration stays the same or constant (Newtons Laws of Motion).

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Does the earth accelerate
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Why does a raindrop accelerate as it falls to the earth?

because the force of the earth pulls on the drop


Does the apple accelerate toward earth or does earth accelerate toward the apple?

Both the apple and the Earth accelerate toward each other due to the force of gravity acting between them, following Newton's third law of motion. However, since Earth is much larger and heavier, its acceleration is much smaller compared to the apple.


You jump off a truck and accelerate toward the surface of the Earth Does the Earth accelerate toward you?

Yes, according to Newton's third law of motion, when you jump off the truck, you exert a force on the Earth, causing it to accelerate slightly towards you. However, due to the Earth's much larger mass, the acceleration of the Earth would be too small to be noticeable.


Why does an object accelerate when it falls to Earth's surface?

beause of gravity


Does a circular orbit satellite accelerate towards earth?

Yes.


What is a sentence for the word accelerate?

He would wildly accelerate his car when the traffic light turned green. Gravity causes falling objects to accelerate as they move toward the Earth. Living in a foreign country can accelerate the speed at which you learn the native language.


Why does newton's first law of motion not work on earth?

It sure works on Earth. It works everywhere. If there is no net force on an object, the object will not accelerate. Vice versa, if the object does not accelerate, that means there is no net force on the object.


Does the moon accelerate as it revolves around it?

No, the moon does not accelerate as it revolves around Earth. Its speed remains relatively constant as it follows its elliptical orbit.


A satellite in orbit around earth is always falling towards earth?

Yes. They accelerate (change the direction of their movement) towards Earth, and this may be labelled as "falling".Yes. They accelerate (change the direction of their movement) towards Earth, and this may be labelled as "falling".Yes. They accelerate (change the direction of their movement) towards Earth, and this may be labelled as "falling".Yes. They accelerate (change the direction of their movement) towards Earth, and this may be labelled as "falling".


What is a sentence with the word accelerate?

The word accelerate is a verb meaning "to get faster." Thus it can be used in the following possible sentences:He saw the lights were turning green and so started to accelerate.Hiring more workers can accelerate the manufacturing process.Objects falling to earth accelerate because of gravity.


What is the sentence of acelerate?

The car began to accelerate as the driver pressed on the gas pedal.


What As the space shuttle orbits the earth the shuttle and the astronauts accelerate towards the earth with the same acceleration what effect does this create?

Weightlessness