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How did Newton's theories explain why planets orbit the sun and why moons orbit planets?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Newton's theories of gravity and the laws of motion, with the differential calculus he also invented (Leibnitz did the same in Germany), explained why the planets and other objects obey Kepler's laws of planetary motion, which were deduced from observations.
It happens because of the Sun's gravity, an inverse-square force (which means that the force reduces with the square of the distance). Newton showed that a central force of this type produces an orbit exactly as Kepler had described many years before.
Different planets at different distances, with a range of different initial conditions, take up a family of orbits that all follow the same theory.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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Do planets and moons have stars?
On the contrary! A star has planets, which circulate it. And planets have moons. Stars do not circle planets.
Do Planets and their moons emit light?
No. Planets and moons reflect light.
Do any planets have less then 10 moons?
Yes. Many Planets and dwarf planets have less than 10 moons. Planets: Mercury- 0 moons Venus- 0 moons Earth- 1 moon Mars- 2 moon Neptune- 8 moons Dwarf planets: Pluto- 3 moons and many other dwarf planets that i don't know how many moons they have.
What percent of the planets have moons?
The percent of the planets that have moons is 75%. Mercury and venus are the only ones without moons.
How many planets have two moons?
Only Mars has two moons. The other planets have either one moon, no moons, or many moons.
Who helped explain why the planets orbit the sun and moons orbit planets?
Edwin Hubble
How many moons do the suns have?
The Sun has no moons. Moons orbit Planets > Planets orbit the Sun.
What are moons to planets?
Moons are satellites of planets.
How do planets get their moons?
moons are small planets caught in the gavity of bigger planets.
Why the dwarf planets have moons?
planets have moons for day and night
Do planets and moons have stars?
On the contrary! A star has planets, which circulate it. And planets have moons. Stars do not circle planets.
Does the terrestrial planets have more moons than the outer planets?
Oh no, it is the outer planets which have the most moons. Terrestrial planets such as Earth have relatively few moons.
Do Planets and their moons emit light?
No. Planets and moons reflect light.
Do smaller planets have more moons?
No. Larger planets have more moons.
Are moons satellites to planets?
yes moons are satellites to other planets
What planets always surrounded the moon?
Moons are not surrounded by planets, planets are surrounded (orbited) by moons.
Do any planets have less then 10 moons?
Yes. Many Planets and dwarf planets have less than 10 moons. Planets: Mercury- 0 moons Venus- 0 moons Earth- 1 moon Mars- 2 moon Neptune- 8 moons Dwarf planets: Pluto- 3 moons and many other dwarf planets that i don't know how many moons they have.
