Asteroids have been moving though space for billions of years. What keeps them moving?

Answer 1

Some say that our asteroid belt is the remains of a planet - in that case the asteroids would be caught in the same orbit around the sun, due to gravity - the same thing that keeps our planets and moons in place. In that same line of thinking, pieces that were blown off have their own force that propels them initially and they continue on that path until deflected by another object or ensnared in the gravitational force of another heavenly body.

Peace!

Answer 2

Momentum (not inertia - that's what keeps things in place).

Basically they keep moving because there's nothing to stop them from moving. Things are normally stopped from moving by either friction (slowing it down) or gravity (pulling it down).

In outer space, away from any object with mass, there's neither, so there's nothing to keep the asteroid from chugging along. In fact, if it catches a gravity orbit in the right way it might be flung even further.

Answer 3

am not sure but what i think an Ive done a little research is that asteroids are also classified as dwarfs planets and they orbit around the sun.. much like planets... its all done in gravity an up to now am not sure but no scientist have come to tell how gravity is done.

Answer 4

The lack of anything to stop them, actually. Space actually has very little matter. A chunk of rock can drive through space for eons without encountering anything bigger than a speck of dust.

Answer 5

since ther is no force in space that can oppose their motion hence they keep on moving and will continously move because of inertia.

Answer 6

Inertia.

Answer 7

Inertia and gravitational acceleration.

Answer 8

Simple...inersial of course.

Answer 9

Resistance or disinclination to motion, action, or change.

Answer 10

Air.....



juss kidding i think gas's