If the Sun were replaced by a 1-solar-mass black hole,then Earth would
A) continue to orbit the black hole in precisely its present orbit.
B) move into an elliptical orbit passing close to the black hole,with its farthest distance from the black hole equal to 1 AU.
C) spiral quickly into the black hole.
D) head off into interstellar space along a straight line at a tangent to its original orbit around the Sun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gravitational force that governs Earth's orbit depends on the mass of the Sun and the distance between Earth and the Sun. If the Sun were replaced by a 1-solar-mass black hole, the mass attracting Earth would remain the same, and so would the distance, meaning Earth would continue to orbit the black hole just as it orbits the Sun now.

If the Sun Were Replaced by a 1-Solar-Mass Black Hole,then