IF the moon earth etc etc all have gravity what keeps them from being pulled into each other and staying in thier orbit?? i mean if the moon has enough gravity to effect the tide on earth seems like the earth would just pull the moon into it self
2007-01-24 15:54:20 · 9 answers · asked by roachetter2006 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
When something is in orbit it is actually constantly accelerating away from the centre of it's orbit... the gravity between the moon and the earth (Newtons Universal Law of Gravitation) causes the moon orbiting the earth to accelerate back toward the earth at the same rate that it is accelerating away from the earth.
These 2 acceleration forces cancel each other out so the moon just continues to orbit the earth where it is...
Actually, as the moons orbit slows (which it is) it's acceleration away from the earth decreases, meaning the gravity toward the earth is ever so slightly higher and the moon effectively starts to "fall" back toward the earth (which it is)... but that will take a long time yet.
2007-01-24 16:04:35 · answer #1 · answered by JT 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are being pulled towards each other all the time. An orbit is an equilibirum of gravity and speed. The moon falls towards the earth but is moving to the side as fast as it falls. The net effect is that it remains the same distance. (perfect orbit) most planets and moons are eliptical orbits...gravity is greater than velocity are out of sync but later balance out when velocity exceeds gravity for part of its orbit in an equal difference. Why? Part of the reason is the gravity of the sun also has an influence on the moon's and earth's orbits and rotational wobble of the earth and sun.
2007-01-24 16:10:03 · answer #2 · answered by Bob 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try this experiment (though not indoors ... you might break something). Tie a string FIRMLY! around an object weighing a pound or so. Now holding onto the opposite end of the string spin it above your head. You will feel the object try to pull your hand in the direction it is currently at. Gravity (the string represents gravity) is the counter balance to this force pulling the moon (or any other object revolving around another) back to the Earth keeping it from flying away.
2007-01-24 22:08:47 · answer #3 · answered by FourKingHigh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
centrifugal force like when you revolve a nut on a string provides a force pulling away from the earth. Gravity is a force of mass pulling the moon and they earth together. When these forces are in balance the smaller object is in orbit. Same way our satellites reach an orbit.
2007-01-24 16:06:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
JT isnt far off the point but he missed one very important thing (not including the fact he personally is an idiot).
The scale of the force of gravity is tiny compared to other forces. It almost seems insignificant so interaction between bodies can be very minute. The amount of force required to have the two solid bodies of the moon and the earth collide would be far greater than that of gravity alone.
2007-01-24 16:17:22 · answer #5 · answered by delprofundo 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
t be honest, its quite magical.
its basically called equilibrium. the moon is at the precise distance to allow tides without falling into the earth.
The force of gravity is compensated by centrigual force. as the earth rotates and the moon rotates they comliment eachother. its kind of like 2 people spinning around eachother with hoola hoops.
I'll tell you what, when you go to college, make sure you take an Astronomy class. you will never forget it!
2007-01-24 16:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by olympikdude 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the moon is being pulled toward the earth, but it is also moving sideways so it ends up falling around it since nothing is slowing it from moving to the side.
2007-01-24 16:03:43 · answer #7 · answered by jcj7373 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-27 23:10:53 · answer #8 · answered by doolin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Einstein it is because bodies with a mass warp or bend time-space
2007-01-24 16:27:05 · answer #9 · answered by Scarp 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋