There was a similar question and here is a part of one answer..but it doesn't make any sense to me...
"..external force which existed during the formation of earth. This force on earth imparted earth a velocity that was greater then critical velocity to revolve in a circular path around sun but less than the escape velocity. Any body imparted with such velocity will rotate in an elliptical orbit.."
I can't make sense out of this explanation, but is it similar to the following statement....This is what I have read from other sources..: If the balance between large body's gravitational pull and centrifugal force is not perfect, the orbit will be elliptical, but to me it would mean that either the Moon will fall into the Earth or it will leave Earth's orbit, depending which force will be stronger...I really don't understand!!! Is there a purely logical explanation without complicated mathematical formulas???
2006-11-07
02:53:08
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10 answers
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asked by
Chris
1
in
Physics