Suppose that the force of gravity between the sun and Earth suddenly stopped operating. What would happen?
A) Earth would move straight ahead, in a straight line, rather than orbiting the sun.
B) Earth would continue orbiting the sun, but objects on Earth would have no weight and would float into space.
C) Earth would fall directly inward, into the sun.
D) Earth would stop in its orbit around the sun, and remain motionless at its present position.
E) Earth would fly directly outward from the sun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Without the gravitational force from the sun, Earth would no longer be pulled into its orbit and would continue moving in a straight line tangent to its orbit at the point where the force stopped, due to its inertia.

Suppose That the Force of Gravity Between the Sun and Earth