Further Physics - Gravity and Planetary Orbits 1

GRAVITY is CENTRIPETAL FORCE that keeps planets in orbit

GRAVITY is the force of attraction between masses - larger the masses, greater the forces of attraction between them 

GRAVITATIONAL FORCE can act as CENTRIPETAL FORCE that keeps on object in orbit around another - orbit is possible when there is a balance between the forward motion of the object and the gravitational force pulling it inwards.

• Planets always orbit around stars - stars provide centripetal force
• Orbits around Sun always slightly ELIPTICAL
• Further planet is from the Sun, longer the…