Earth is rotating around the sun?

In summary: Even in space, the gravitational influence of the Sun is felt. The Earth's orbital speed is maintained by the balance between the Sun's gravity and the Earth's centrifugal force. In summary, the Earth rotates around the sun due to gravity and conservation of angular momentum, which was provided by the accretion disc during formation. The Earth also rotates on its own axis due to the conservation of angular momentum and the forces of gravity and the Earth's mechanical strength. The curvature of spacetime due to the mass of the Sun also plays a role in the Earth's orbit. However, it is important to avoid using misleading examples or explanations, as this can cause confusion and misunderstandings.
  • #1
Hardik Batra
130
5
Why the Earth is rotating around the sun?

I know the centripetal force is required for the rotation of Earth around the sun.

But initially there is required some force on Earth to rotate around the sun.
 
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  • #2
Earth orbits the sun due to gravity and conservation of angular momentum. The angular momentum was provided by the accretion disc from which the Earth was formed.
 
  • #3
Hardik Batra said:
Why the Earth is rotating around the sun?

Watch this at time 1:05

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmNXKqeUtJM
 
  • #4
Chronos said:
Earth orbits the sun due to gravity and conservation of angular momentum. The angular momentum was provided by the accretion disc from which the Earth was formed.

I actually don't get it what is accretion disc.
 
  • #5
Hardik Batra said:
I actually don't get it what is accretion disc.
Have you watched the video in post #3 ?
 
  • #6
Hardik Batra said:
I actually don't get it what is accretion disc.

Did you try Google? I got a lot of hits when I tried it.
 
  • #7
You should try to keep your terms for the Earth motion precise.

The Earth rotates around its axis.
The Earth revolves around the sun.
 
  • #8
Balancing act

As space is void of gases, motion of the stars and planets are not inhibited, so they can keep unpowered constant speed, this is the reason satellites are put into space.

Ive attached an (unfinished) layout of a star - planet - moon system, it will give you an idea of the layout and basic principles, you can treat the earth-moon system as one mass orbiting the sun.
Also attached are the basic equations for two body stable orbit.

Hope this is a help

Dean
 

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  • #9
mathman said:
You should try to keep your terms for the Earth motion precise.

The Earth rotates around its axis.
The Earth revolves around the sun.

The Earth is revolves around the sun. The centripetal force and conservation of angular momentum is used.

But the Earth is also rotating around its own axis. which force the Earth is gaining to rotate around its own axis?
 
  • #10
Hardik Batra said:
The Earth is revolves around the sun. The centripetal force and conservation of angular momentum is used.

But the Earth is also rotating around its own axis. which force the Earth is gaining to rotate around its own axis?

angular momentum keeps it rotating, and the centripetal force is provided in part by the Earth's gravity and in part by the mechanical strength of the rock that makes up the earth.
 
  • #11
Hardik Batra said:
The Earth is revolves around the sun. The centripetal force and conservation of angular momentum is used.

But the Earth is also rotating around its own axis. which force the Earth is gaining to rotate around its own axis?

Centripetal force and conservation of angular momentum
 
  • #12
If you stand on a flat surface you will stand still however if you curve the fat surface you will fall over however if you are a ball like the Earth you will roll around the curvature. Massive boddies like the sun curve and warp the fabric of space and the Earth is forced to roll around it.
 
  • #13
Master Sashin said:
If you stand on a flat surface you will stand still however if you curve the fat surface you will fall over however if you are a ball like the Earth you will roll around the curvature. Massive boddies like the sun curve and warp the fabric of space and the Earth is forced to roll around it.

This Pop-Sci statement is very crude and is best avoided. First, it is the spacetime, not necessarily space, that gets curved in General Relativity. The space in the vicinity of the orbit of the Earth is flat for any practical purpose.

Second, this has very little to do with the shape of the Earth. Almost anything, of any shape, as long as its mass is much less than the mass of the Sun, can revolve around the Sun exactly like the Earth does.
 
  • #14
voko said:
This Pop-Sci statement is very crude and is best avoided.
Especially if someone asks about the spin of the Earth around it's own axis. It almost sounded like the rolling on the curved surface is responsible for the Earh's spin. Very misleading.
 
  • #15
voko said:
This Pop-Sci statement is very crude and is best avoided. First, it is the spacetime, not necessarily space, that gets curved in General Relativity. The space in the vicinity of the orbit of the Earth is flat for any practical purpose.

Second, this has very little to do with the shape of the Earth. Almost anything, of any shape, as long as its mass is much less than the mass of the Sun, can revolve around the Sun exactly like the Earth does.

DUde i was using it as an example. If i said he started rolling around in circles it souldve confused him and he wouldve also have been confused about spece time
 
  • #16
Master Sashin said:
DUde i was using it as an example.

The example was bad and misleading and it was physically wrong, too. There is no excuse for that. You just do not explain anything using such "examples".
 
  • #17
Master Sashin said:
DUde i was using it as an example. If i said he started rolling around in circles it souldve confused him and he wouldve also have been confused about spece time

I appreciate that you want to participate in discussions here at PF, and I don't intend any offense, but it was a poorly worded example. When giving explanations or examples it is important to be as clear, concise, and accurate as possible, otherwise you risk confusing others. Your explanation simply isn't accurate and is extremely vague. It's best to simply accept and learn from whatever criticism you get and to not let it get to you. Trust me, all of us here at PF have had to learn this lesson too. I don't know how many of my own posts have been corrected by others since joining.
 
  • #18
dean barry said:
As space is void of gases, motion of the stars and planets are not inhibited, so they can keep unpowered constant speed, this is the reason satellites are put into space.

This isn't quite true.
 
  • #19
A.T. said:
Especially if someone asks about the spin of the Earth around it's own axis. It almost sounded like the rolling on the curved surface is responsible for the Earh's spin. Very misleading.
OKay fine, this is my explination. Space or space time is like a trampoline. Place a few marbles on the trampoline and each of those marbles respresent a planet. If you stand in the centre of the trampoline, the marbles will move toward you because you curved the fabric of the trampolione. The marbles will not move to you in a straight line but will move in a circular motion.
SO now imagine yourself as the sun curving the fabric of space time and that curved space is pushin the Earth around the sun. I am not sure but i think its getting closer...(again, I am not 100 percent sure on my last sentance)
 
  • #20
Master Sashin said:
OKay fine, this is my explination.
Not really yours, rather a common flawed explanation of General Relativity, that you probably saw somewhere. Since the OP is already confused about classical Newtonian mechanics, I don't see the point of bringing up GR.
 
  • #21
A.T. said:
Not really yours, rather a common flawed explanation of General Relativity, that you probably saw somewhere. Since the OP is already confused about classical Newtonian mechanics, I don't see the point of bringing up GR.

Sometimes GR (or, rather, some of its core ideas) explain things far more lucidly than non-relativistic mechanics. The equivalence principle is a particularly useful tool, which, I think, should be taught very early.

But not this kind of "fabric of space" fantasies, of course.
 
  • #22
In what way would the OP be confused about what I said?
 
  • #23
Master Sashin said:
In what way would the OP be confused about what I said?

Hey master, first it's a pop science description for the lay person, and it isn't an accurate way to to answer the OP's question. Like others have pointed out, it's best to avoid such devices here.
 

FAQ: Earth is rotating around the sun?

What is the evidence that proves Earth is rotating around the sun?

The most commonly cited evidence is the apparent movement of the sun and stars in the sky, which can be explained by Earth's rotation and revolution. Additionally, the laws of planetary motion and gravitational forces also support the idea of Earth orbiting the sun.

How long does it take for Earth to complete one orbit around the sun?

It takes approximately 365.24 days for Earth to complete one orbit around the sun. This is known as a tropical year and is the basis for our calendar system. However, due to slight variations in Earth's orbit, leap years are added every four years to keep the calendar in sync with the actual orbital period.

What is the difference between Earth's rotation and revolution?

Earth's rotation refers to the spinning of the planet on its axis, which takes approximately 24 hours to complete. This is what causes day and night. On the other hand, Earth's revolution refers to its movement around the sun, which takes approximately 365.24 days to complete.

Does the Earth's rotation have any effect on our daily lives?

Yes, Earth's rotation has a significant impact on our daily lives. The rotation of the planet causes the cycle of day and night, which affects our sleep patterns and daily activities. It also influences the direction of winds and ocean currents, which can impact weather patterns and transportation.

What would happen if the Earth stopped rotating?

If Earth suddenly stopped rotating, the entire planet would experience a catastrophic event. The atmosphere would be in motion, causing winds of up to 1000 miles per hour. The oceans would also be affected, leading to massive tidal waves. The lack of rotation would also disrupt Earth's magnetic field, leaving us vulnerable to harmful solar radiation.

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