answersLogoWhite

0

The sun's gravity has a number of effects on the planets. Primarily, the sun's gravity is what sets the orbits of the 9 planets. With one revolution around the sun equaling a solar year (365.25 days on earth). Planets closer to the sun orbit the sun at higher speeds due the sun's gravity being stronger at short distances (Gravity decreases exponentially as distance increases from an object)

The sun's gravity also has major tidal effects on the planets. High and low tides cycles on earth are partially a function of differences in the sun's gravity on different portions of the earth. The sun's gravity pulls slightly more on the side of the earth facing the sun, causing fluids to bulge toward that side resulting in a high tide cycle. On Mercury, where the sun's gravity is much stronger, tidal forces are powerful enough to alter solid rock and effect the planets landscape.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?