Since the moon is constantly attracted toward the earth by the gravitational interaction, why doesn’t it crash into the earth?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The moon does not crash into the earth due to centrifugal force opposite to gravitational interaction.

Step by step solution

01

Forces between Earth and Moon

The gravitational force acts between Earth and Moon due to the mass of both planets. This gravitational force attracts each planet towards itself.

The moon moves in a circular orbit around Earth. The moon produces a centrifugal force away from the Earth.

02

Reason for no crash between Earth and Moon due to gravitational interaction

The centrifugal force of the moon acts opposite to the gravitational force by which earth attracts the moon towards itself, so the moon does not crash with Earth by gravitational interaction.

Therefore, the moon does not crash into the earth due to centrifugal force opposite to gravitational interaction.

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