Why does the moon orbits the earth?

Answer 1

Gravitational forces cause the Earth to pull on the Moon, and the Moon to pull on the Earth (Earth is about 81 times as massive). Since the Moon is travelling with sufficient velocity, it does not fall into the Earth, but rather orbits around the Earth.

The mutual attractive force between the Earth and Moon, due to gravity, keeps the two bodies in a state of mutual revolution. If the force of gravity didn't exist, then the Moon would take off from the Earth in a straight line, and the Earth would likewise take off from the Sun.

Answer 2

Because the gravity on earth keeps the moon in its place. Since there's no gravity in space it causes the moon to move. When the moon tries to move it circles around earth in its gravitational pull.\

Thanks,

Dakota

Answer 3

Gravity pulls the moon toward the Earth but the moon does not crash into it because it is already moving sideways compared to that gravity. By the time the gravity has pulled the moon down a mile or so it has already moved sideways by about a mile so as this continues the moon falls in a circle always missing the Earth.

It isn't quite a circle though. If the moon gets closer gravity pulls harder so the moon moves faster, except it ends up moving sideways faster instead of down faster. This eventually takes it further away from the Earth so gravity pulls softer and the moon ends up moving sideways slower. The end result is an elliptical path.

Answer 4

The moon orbits the Earth due to gravitational forces between the two bodies. The gravitational pull of the Earth keeps the moon in its orbit, while the moon's momentum prevents it from falling into the Earth. This balance of gravitational force and momentum results in the moon's continuous orbit around the Earth.

Answer 5

The moon orbits the Earth because it is closer and smaller than us.