Gravity attacts two bodies, then why doesn't earth collide with the sun?

Question

We know that two objects in space are attracted towards each other due to gravitation.

Then why does the earth revolve around the sun instead of colliding into the sun?

does this imply that if the velocity of earth is increased it would settle at bigger orbit and if slower it would settle down at smaller orbit?

if earth and sun were to be the only two objects in the entire universe, in that scenario will the velocity of the earth matter or in that case two such objects would just collide.

Answer 1

There are two forces involved in holding Earth in its orbit around the sun -- the mutual gravity between Earth and sun, and Earth's independant velocity through space. Gravity tries to pull them together, but at the same time Earth's velocity through space is trying to pull it away from the sun. As long as the two balance, we stay in orbit. Think of a string with a rock tied on one end. Whirl the string around and the rock "orbits" your head as long as you maintain the proper whirling speed. Stop whirling the string and the rock falls, or if the string breaks it goes flying off on its own. In this example, the string is gravity.

"...does this imply that if the velocity of earth is increased it would settle at bigger orbit and if slower it would settle down at smaller orbit?..."
You're exactly right!

"...if earth and sun were to be the only two objects in the entire universe, in that scenario will the velocity of the earth matter or in that case two such objects would just collide..."
The only difference would be in the actual orbital parameters. All the objects in our solar system influence the orbits of all other objects to some extent. Without them around, or any other objects anywhere, the Earth-sun orbital characteristics would be somewhat different, but the same principles that maintain the orbit would still hold true.

Answer 2

There is an attractive force between any two objects in space as u said. Hence, there is an attractive force between the sun and the earth also. But it is this attractive force that acts as the centripital force required for the earth to move in a circular orbit around the sun, with its critical velocity or orbital velocity. Hence, the earth can never collide with the sun. Got it?

Answer 3

If in a moving body a force acts laterally ( perpendicular to its motion) and always pointing a fixed point, then the motion of the object will be in a circular path with the fixed point as the center

But for the gravity the earth will move in a straight line with its own speed.

Since the earth is pulled toward the sun, the earth moves in a circular path.

If the earth has no speed of its own, then the motion of the earth will be directly in a straight line toward the sun and it will not move around the sun.

Answer 4

Basically, the rate of the earth falling toward the sun (gravity) is counterbalanced by the rate of speed in which the earth orbits the sun. So, the earth kind of falls in a circle around the sun and never hits because it keeps going further out in its circle. (If that makes any sense whatsoever : )

Answer 5

Because the Earth has kinetic energy.

Increase the kinetic energy (increase the speed) and the size of the orbit increases.

The rest of the universe (laregely) has no effect on this orbit, so is irrelevant to the discussion.

Answer 6

Gravity appears to be a weak force in our universe, keeping us tied to the earth. But, if you take a ball and put it on a string and swung it over your head, you could sense the force that keeps the earth from the sun.

Answer 7

when u swing a pendulum attached by a spring it stays in place while the spring is constantly stretched.. tink of de spring as gravity.. this is due to escape speed.. since earth's motion is always perpendicular to gravity, the change in velocity is onli change in direction and not magnitude, ie the gravity acts as a centripidal force, hence earth revolves rd the sun in a circular motion

Answer 8

Because earth orbits the sun an thus avoiding the crash by its centrifugal force

Answer 9

earth is moving in a circular path
so the force or gavitational force between earth and sun will be zero
because sin 90 is zero

Answer 10

It is impossible to sun to banged on earth,,,,,,,,,,, becoz earth is moving around the sun with its critical velocity,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,