Why doesn't the Moon fall toward Earth like apples do?
A)the great distance of the Moon prevents falling
B)moon's small mass prevents falling
C)moon does fall but its great distance keeps it from getting closer
D)moon does fall but due to its tangential motion it also falls around Earth

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D because the moon does in fact fall toward Earth due to the pull of gravity, but its tangential motion also keeps it moving around Earth instead of falling directly to the surface. This is similar to how a satellite stays in orbit around Earth. The other options (A, B, and C) are incorrect because they do not fully explain the phenomenon of the moon's orbit around Earth.

Why Doesn't the Moon Fall Toward Earth Like Apples Do