why planets in solar system orbit in circular path ?

Answer 1

Palu - the planets actually rotate in an elliptical path around the sun (and the moons do the same around their planets).

It is best described by the Laws of Planetary Motion,

Kepler obtained Brahe's data after his death despite the attempts by Brahe's family to keep the data from him in the hope of monetary gain. There is some evidence that Kepler obtained the data by less than legal means; it is fortunate for the development of modern astronomy that he was successful. Utilizing the voluminous and precise data of Brahe, Kepler was eventually able to build on the realization that the orbits of the planets were ellipses to formulate his Three Laws of Planetary Motion.

Kepler's First Law:

I. The orbits of the planets are ellipses, with the Sun at one focus of the ellipse.

The Sun is not at the center of the ellipse, but is instead at one focus (generally there is nothing at the other focus of the ellipse). The planet then follows the ellipse in its orbit, which means that the Earth-Sun distance is constantly changing as the planet goes around its orbit. For purpose of illustration we have shown the orbit as rather eccentric; remember that the actual orbits are much less eccentric than this.

Kepler's Second Law:

II. The line joining the planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times as the planet travels around the ellipse.

A line joining the Sun and planet sweeps out equal areas in equal times, so the planet moves faster when it is nearer the Sun. Thus, a planet executes elliptical motion with constantly changing angular speed as it moves about its orbit. The point of nearest approach of the planet to the Sun is termed perihelion; the point of greatest separation is termed aphelion. Hence, by Kepler's second law, the planet moves fastest when it is near perihelion and slowest when it is near aphelion.

Kepler's Third Law:

III. The ratio of the squares of the revolutionary periods for two planets is equal to the ratio of the cubes of their semi-major axes.

Kepler's Third Law implies that the period for a planet to orbit the Sun increases rapidly with the radius of its orbit. Thus, we find that Mercury, the innermost planet, takes only 88 days to orbit the Sun but the outermost planet (Pluto) requires 248 years to do the same.

Answer 2

Even though planets don't travel in perfect circlular paths, their orbits are only slightly elliptical. I'm not completely sure of the reason for this but my guess is that it has to do with the way solar systems are created.

Initially, there are tons of rocks scattered throughout the developing solar system. Since the matter is so dispersed, most objects with highly elliptical orbits will crash into other matter slowing it down. This will happen until all the matter orbits in a quasi circular orbit. At this point clumping will begin and develop the planets in quasi-circular orbits.

Process takes billlions of years but it is enough for planets to develop into circular orbits. This is also the reason why planets rotate in roughly the same plane around the sun. Initially there is matter rotating about every plane but since these planes intersect the rocks and matter will crash until one plane takes over.

Answer 3

The planets do not actually orbit in a circular path. It is slightly more oval in shape. They also do not all revolve in the same plane of orbit around the sun. The reason they do travel the way they do is the gravitational pull of the sun keeps drawing them towards it. However, the basic laws of physics tells us that energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

take this principle and put it in motion with the sun. Small planet is traveling through space, not directly aimed at the sun. Gravity of the sun draws it towards it and grabs a hold. The planet is then forever in a free fall trying to hit the sun, but it's original trajectory keeps it at a distance. Since there is no friction to slow the planet down, it will forever remain at whatever distance it settled at based on it's size and rate of speed when it passed the gravitational pull of the sun.

Answer 4

The fact is that, no planet is in the circular path orbit in solar system;all planets are in the solar system orbit are in elliptical path.

Answer 5

As a matter of fact, the planets do not orbit in a circular path. The orbits of the planets are eliptical.

Answer 6

Because that's what the word "orbit" means.

But seriously.... it's a balance between GRAVITY which wants to pull the planets into the Sun and the centrifugal force of their speed which also stops them from doing this. Thus they just go around and around.

Answer 7

actually planets move around the sun in elliptical orbits .as written in kepler third law tht planets sweep equal area in equal time intervals during their motion around the sun . now in such a condition the trajectory tht becomes fovourable 4 motion of planet around sun is an ellipse. moreover gravitational attraction of the sun keeps the planets moving in elliptical orbit.

Answer 8

They don't. They have ELLIPTICAL orrbits. It kind of oval, just like the planets themselves. I don't know why they orbit the sun like that...maybe god made the orbits like that because he loved the shape? lol

Answer 9

the orbit is not circular these are eliptical in shape
it is because of the gravity of Sun

Answer 10

planets dont revolve in circular paths they r actually oval they revolve around sun due to its gravitational force