Log inSign up

Middle School Earth and Space Science Flashcards: Gravity Holds Solar System

Study Gravity Holds Solar System in Middle School Earth and Space Science with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.

QUESTION

What happens to a planet's orbit if the Sun's gravity suddenly disappeared?

Tap card or press Space to flip

ANSWER

It would move in a straight line tangent to its orbit. Newton's first law: objects continue in straight lines without force.

1 / 33

Middle School Earth and Space Science: Earth's Place in the Universe

You are hereGravity Holds Solar System33 cards

All flashcards

33 cards

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Gravity Holds Solar System, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for Middle School Earth and Space Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Practice questions

1 of 45Practice questions for this set
Two models are shown for the same Sun–planet system. In Model 1, gravity arrows point from the planet toward the Sun (larger mass), and the planet has a forward velocity arrow along a curved orbit path. In Model 2, the planet has the same forward velocity arrow but no gravity arrows are shown. Which model best explains a stable orbit (the planet remaining bound to the Sun), and why?
Choose an answer

Keep your progress across every deck

Free account · cards you mark are saved to it