A diagram of the solar system shows the sun in the middle. Why does every other object orbit around the sun? (1 point)
COURSE TOOLS
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The sun is so bright
• The sun is the most massive object in the solar system.
• The sun is an average size for a star.
• The sun is smaller than other objects in the solar system.
The most accurate reason is:
• The sun has the largest gravitational force in the solar system.
The reason why every other object in the solar system orbits around the sun is because of the sun's massive size and gravitational pull.
Gravity is a force that attracts objects with mass towards each other. In the case of our solar system, the sun is by far the most massive object, containing more than 99% of the total mass. Its immense gravitational pull affects all the planets, moons, asteroids, and other objects in its vicinity.
When an object is in orbit, it means that it is continuously falling towards the object it is orbiting, while also moving horizontally at a fast enough speed to keep missing it. In the case of the solar system, all the objects including planets, moons, and asteroids are constantly falling towards the sun due to its gravitational pull, but their fast horizontal movement keeps them from crashing into it.
So, to summarize, every other object in the solar system orbits around the sun because the sun's massive size and gravitational pull keeps them in a continuous falling motion, while their horizontal speed keeps them from actually colliding with the sun.