118k views
4 votes
0 According to the Theory of General Relativity, why do objects in the solar system orbit the sun?

O They are responding to the intense heat generated by the sun.
They naturally orbit the object at the center of the solar system.
O They are attracted to the sun's magnetic field.
OThey are following the curvature of the object with the dominant mass.

User MurielK
by
8.0k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Objects in the solar system orbit the sun due to the curvature of space caused by the sun's mass.


Step-by-step explanation:

Theory of General Relativity and Solar System Orbits

According to the Theory of General Relativity, objects in the solar system orbit the sun because they are following the curvature of the object with the dominant mass. In this case, the sun is the object with the most mass, so other objects in the solar system, such as planets, follow the curvature of space around it. This creates the effect of objects appearing to orbit the sun.

For example, the planet Earth orbits the sun due to the curvature of space caused by the sun's mass. The sun's strong gravitational pull creates a curved path for objects like Earth, leading them to orbit the sun.


Learn more about Theory of General Relativity and solar system orbits

User Eric Bonnot
by
7.2k points