How does gravity keep the Moon in orbit around Earth?
Quick Answer
Earth’s gravity constantly pulls the Moon inward while the Moon’s forward motion keeps it from falling straight down. Together, those effects create a stable orbit about 384,400 km away on average.
The Full Story
The Moon stays in orbit because it is always falling toward Earth, but it also has enough sideways speed to keep missing our planet. Earth’s gravity provides the inward pull, and the Moon’s orbital speed is about 1.0 km/s. This balance produces an elliptical path rather than a straight plunge. Isaac Newton explained this kind of orbital motion in the 17th century using the same gravity that makes apples fall. The Moon’s average distance is about 384,400 km, but that distance changes slightly over the month.
Key Facts
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