Which of the following is a consequence of the law of universal gravitation?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following is a consequence of the law of universal gravitation?
The orbits of planets are elliptical
All objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum
Gravity is a contact force
Mass does not affect gravitational attraction
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following is a consequence of the law of universal gravitation?
Correct Answer: The orbits of planets are elliptical.
Step 1: Understand the law of universal gravitation, which states that every mass attracts every other mass with a force that depends on their masses and the distance between them.
Step 2: Recognize that this gravitational force affects how objects move in space, including planets.
Step 3: Learn about Kepler's laws, which describe how planets move in their orbits around the sun.
Step 4: Realize that the law of universal gravitation implies that the paths of planets are not perfect circles but are instead elliptical shapes.
Step 5: Conclude that because of the law of universal gravitation, we can say that the orbits of planets are elliptical, as explained by Kepler's laws.
