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Question
The earth attracts the moon. Does the moon also attract the earth ? If it does, why does
the earth not move towards the moon ?
The earth attracts the moon. Does the moon also attract the earth ? If it does, why does
the earth not move towards the moon ?Open in App
Solution
Dear Student!
The Earth and the Moon both attract each other with the same amount of force. Moon does not move towards Earth, rather it revolves around it. This force of gravitation between the two provides necessary centripetal force for the orbital motion of the Moon. The same amount of force is acting on both, but the mass of Earth is large in comparison with Moon. This is the reason why the lighter moon revolves around the heavier Earth and not vice-versa.
Dear Student!
The Earth and the Moon both attract each other with the same amount of force. Moon does not move towards Earth, rather it revolves around it. This force of gravitation between the two provides necessary centripetal force for the orbital motion of the Moon. The same amount of force is acting on both, but the mass of Earth is large in comparison with Moon. This is the reason why the lighter moon revolves around the heavier Earth and not vice-versa.
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