If the earth was to increase its mass would it expand its orbit?

Answer 1

No. The mass of an orbiting object has no bearing on orbital speed. Look at the ISS and the shuttles that are sent to re-supply it. The ISS weighs far more than the shuttle, but both orbit at the same speed. Look at the asteriod belt. There are many asteriods of different masses. They all orbit at the same speed.

Answer 2

If Earth's mass increased signifcantly while at the same time its velocity around the sun remained the same, the orbit would shrink, not expand. This is because the gravitational pull between Earth and the sun would increase. Earth's mass does increase by about 40,000 metric tons per year, but even this amount isn't enough to noticeably affect its orbit.

Answer 3

Nope. The equations that govern Earth's orbit around the Sun depend only on the Sun's mass, not Earth's - that's because the Earth's mass is extremely tiny compared to the Sun's mass.

Answer 4

If you mean if the eart was of a larger mass would it have a bigger orbit? No, the larger mass would mean that it would orbit closer and faster to the sun because gravitational attraction between the sun and earth would've increased.

Answer 5

Of course you also have to consider how the earth's mass would increase. If this came about because it collides with another body then the momentum of that object would have to be considered.