What makes the planets spin in outer space?

Answer 1

Let's talk about Earth to make it simpler. The following concepts apply equally well to the other planets.

Earth spins in two ways. First, it rotates about its axis, causing night and day. Second, it orbits the Sun following a roughly circular path. Both motions come about from the same reasons.

First, assuming that there was some cause (which we'll discuss later) for the rotation and orbit to start, why do they continue? Why don't they stop? Well, this is because of concept we call Angular Momentum. Simply put, when an object starts to spin, it will continue to spin unless something acts to stop it. This is a result of the conservation of Linear Momentum which is, as far as we can tell, a fundamental Law of Physics. It is just how the Universe seems to be.

Ok, so why did the Earth start spinning and start orbiting the Sun in the first place? This is explained by the widely accepted model for the formation of the Solar System. In this model, a ball of gas which we'll call the pre-Solar nebula began to collapse under its own gravity. Because it had some net angular momentum (which had to be conserved, as noted), it collapsed into a disk. Some matter from the disk was able to migrate inwards and aggregate on the Sun. Some matter was ejected (and carried a great deal of Angular Momentum with it). Some of the matter collapsed to form the planets. These smaller collapses also had angular momentum, which the planets now carry. Thus the planets rotate. Also, the planets formed in this disk which was rotating around the young Sun. And as I explained above, this was enough to keep them orbiting the Sun to this day.

The details of this theory are a subject of current research. Also, astronomers have pointed telescopes at star-forming regions and observed pre-stellar disks which are consistent with this model. Visit this link for a picture: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap961017.html

Answer 2

I think some of the answers you received applied more to revolving about the sun than to rotating, which is what I think you mean by spin.

In a nutshell, we could say the planets have spin because of the law of conservation of angular momentum.

The theory is that the sun and planets formed from a cloud of gas. If all the molecules had a partner molecule that was travelling EXACTLY the same speed, at EXACTLY the same distance from the centre of mass of the cloud, then the cloud would have no net rotation. More likely, though, is that the entire gas cloud would have some rotation, if only a tiny amount.

The key is, though, that as gravity brings the gas into the centre (to make the sun) and into little pockets here and there (planets and moons), each accumulating mass takes on the same spin, and the spin increases, just as does the spin of a figure skater as she brings her arms in. More mass fell into Jupiter, for example, than Earth, and Jupiter spins faster.

Answer 3

The planets formed from a spinning accretion disk of dust and gas (the solar nebula that formed the sun along with the rest of the solar system). As parts of the disk clumped together to form the planets, they were spinning so the planets that formed from the disk also spun. Essentially the rotation of the Earth and other planets is leftover momentum from the solar system's formation.

Answer 4

nicely you're traveling in time. So, considering the fact which you're actually not floating, then there's achievable which you will stay pulled alongside with each little thing else right here in this old planet. in the adventure that your question is: given an exact spot (as desperate by ability of the fixed stars say), what would be occupying it 6 months from now? i think of that's honest to declare that it will no longer be everywhere interior of 50,000 miles of Earth. on the different hand, momentum is conserved so what would ensue in case you stepped out of a "hollow" in the international the place that's 6 months from now? Wham! does no longer be lots left of you, i've got self assurance. subject is that element and area is relative, only ask Einstein. So, asking "what if" questions and not utilising somewhat greater concrete mechanism to describe the "how" is fairly open-ended. What if the time holiday became into only "stasis" the place each electron, proton, photon, and quark on your physique only iced over for six months. the two you will proceed to work together with gravity (Higgs container) and be held onto earth, or would velocity away into area,. yet what in case you have been held in a locked room? nicely how ought to you no longer work together with the subject in the partitions, floor and ceiling and nevertheless be restrained? Which brings up the interesting question of you sinking into the EArth as quickly as your count is non-interacting if it nevertheless has Weight. So which of the 6 forces of nature do you prefer to do away with, and how? Sounds certainly supernatural to me!

Answer 5

In the Solar system it was the energy of the Sun that caused the planets to spin.

Answer 6

basically simply the sun has a much higher gravity force, and because of the position of the planets they get dragged by the gravity which basically makes them spin...thats the simplest way i can put it. hope that helped x

Answer 7

Albert einstiens theroy of realativity(E=mcsquared) states theat that in the presence of a large mass, space time will bend. Imagine that you have a bedsheet pulled taught and you put a bowling ball on it, it will bend. since that large mass is the sun,spacetime is bent around it, and since the planets are in that bend in space time, they roll around infititely, like marbels in a basin. in simple terms, the suns gravity.

Answer 8

god