Question

Consider the circular motion of earth around the sun. Which of the following statements is more appropriate ?

(a) Gravitational attraction of the sun on the earth is equal to the centripetal force.

(b) Gravitational attraction of the sun on the earth is the centripetal force.

Answer 1

Answer ⇒ Option (b). is more appropriate.

Reason/Explanation ⇒ Gravitational Force is not the Centripetal force. First of all Centripetal Force is not a new type of Force bit actually its the Net Force towards the Center in case of the Circular Motion.

Thus, In case of the Heavenly bodies there is the attraction due to the Gravitational Force which is equal to the Centripetal Force but all the Times Gravitational Force is not the Centripetal Force as in case of Motion in Circular shell.

Therefore,  Gravitational Attraction of the sun on the earth is net force towards the earth which is centripetal force and is more appropriate as in comparison to the first case.

Hope it helps .