Why the solar system can exist

If gravity is so attractive, why doesn't the earth just crash into the sun? Or the moon into the earth?

The answer: Stable Orbits

hyperbolic funnel video: http://bit.ly/r5xhng

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Minute Physics provides an energetic and entertaining view of old and new problems in physics -- all in a minute!

Music by Nathaniel Schroeder

Thanks to Perimeter Institute for support.
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• Category

  Science & Technology

[kaw tar]

I invite you to read the present in truthcontest website if you want to know answers for the big questions about life and death

[Aviv Adler]

As I understand it, the way gravity changes over distance is similar to light intensity. Consider an object which emits a constant amount L of light, and stand a distance r from it. If the object is in 2d, the amount L is spread over 2*pi*r of surface at distance r, so intensity at any point is proportional to L/r. In 3d, intensity is proportional to L/(r^2). And in 4d, intensity is proportional to L/(r^3). So in 4d, moving closer to the object has a more dramatic effect on gravity than in 3d.

[stylishlpsgirls chance]

wow im 10 years old and i all ready knew this

[Seamless Robe]

The Earth is spiralling towards the Sun, but never catches it because as the Planets free-fall towards the Sun the Sun free-falls around the equatorial plane of the galaxy, spiralling up and down in a process known as precession.

[Ligue Depeche]

bots

[amassi2010]

Quran of Muslims says interesting physics facts ..

just check them ...

[Zarnirox]

What I'd like to know is why your comment was flagged as spam. You weren't a dick or anything. All you did was ask a question.

[Gomez william c]

this guide includes both the basic solar system layout as well as detailed plans for creating your own solar energy..Catch the method here. ABOUTSOLARCELLS.COMXA.COM How to Find Free Solar Panels How to Maintain Your Solar Panel System ABOUTSOLARCELLS.COMXA.COM

[Pigwidgeon Ravenclaw]

I know, right? Swiss cheese is great.

[fripon interactif]

uhm so according to this guy, the gravity force is influenced by dimension. No. Dimension determines the ammount of angles (D1=line-D2=square-D3=cube-D4=­moving cube) how does this has anything to do with gravity?

[Andre Bezanson]

You've got all the answers to everything??? wow...