While the Earth is locked into orbit with the Sun's gravity, it continues moving forward due to _________

inertia.

While the Earth is indeed locked in orbit around the Sun due to the Sun's gravity, it continues moving forward due to its own inertia. Inertia refers to an object's natural tendency to resist changes in its state of motion. The Earth, like any other object in motion, continues moving forward in a straight line because there is no external force to slow it down or change its direction. So, while gravity keeps the Earth in orbit around the Sun, it is the combination of gravity and the Earth's own inertia that allows it to maintain its forward motion.

While the Earth is indeed locked into orbit with the Sun's gravity, it continues moving forward due to its inertial motion. Inertial motion is the tendency of an object to keep moving in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted upon by an external force. In the case of the Earth, its forward motion is a result of the initial angular momentum it had when it formed, along with the absence of any significant external forces that would slow it down. This forward motion, combined with the gravitational pull from the Sun, keeps the Earth in a stable orbit.