Asked in PMC Practice Test 21 (2021) 2021Moderate

What force provides the centripetal force for planets moving around the sun?

Correct answer: B. Gravitational force

  • A. Coulombs force
  • B. Gravitational force
  • C. Magnetic force
  • D. None of these options are correct

Explanation

In the case of an orbiting planet, the force is gravity. The gravitational attraction of the Sun is an inward (centripetal) force acting on Earth. This force produces the centripetal acceleration of the orbital motion.

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About Law of Universal Gravitation

Every two masses attract each other with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of their separation, expressed as F = Gm₁m₂/r². Questions also involve the gravitational constant, vector direction, superposition of gravitational forces, and the distinction between gravitational force and gravitational field strength.

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