Imagine a planet is like a ball being swung around on a string. The star pulls the planet toward it, that's gravity. But the planet keeps moving forward, just like you keep moving when you're on a swing. This balance between gravity and motion keeps the planet in orbit. It’s like playing tug-of-war with the sun, both are pulling, but neither wins!
Examples
- Imagine swinging around on a playground swing, you’re pulled down by gravity but keep moving forward.
- A ball tied to a string and spun in circles stays at a distance from the center because of its motion.
- You're like Earth, the Sun pulls you, but your sideways speed keeps you from falling straight in.
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See also
- How Do Rockets Escape Earth's Gravity?
- How Do Planets Stay in Their Orbits?
- How Does ‘Gravity’ Affect the Shape of the Earth?
- What Causes a ‘Black Hole’ and Why Is It Invisible?
- What Causes a ‘Black Hole’ in Space?
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