Gravity and Planetary Orbits

Gravity and Planetary Orbits

Gravity is the force of attraction between masses, the larger the masses, the greater the forceof gravity between them

This gravitational force can act as the centripetal force that keeps one object moving in a circular path (orbit) round another.

An orbit is possible when there's a balance between the forward motion of the object and the gravitational force pulling it inwards

Planets always orbit around stars e.g. the Earth orbits around the Sun 

These orbits are all slightly elliptical (elongated circles) with the Sun at one focus of the ellipse

The further the…