Question

gravity is the force that causes smaller celestial objects to orbit around larger ones. an orbit is a nearly circular or oval - shaped path that one object travels around another. for example, the moon orbits earth along a slightly oval - shaped path.
over four billion years ago, the forces from the moons creation set it in motion. because there is no air resistance in space to slow it down, the moon continuously orbits earth at a speed of about 3,683 kilometers per hour.
this model shows the relationship between earths gravitational pull on the moon and the moons forward motion.
select the true statements.

• the moon is drawn toward earth by gravity.
• gravity keeps larger celestial objects in orbit around smaller ones.
• the moons forward motion is perpendicular to earths gravitational pull.
• an orbit is a perfectly circular path that one object travels around another object.

Explanation:

• "The Moon is drawn toward Earth by gravity": The text says gravity causes smaller celestial objects (Moon) to orbit larger ones (Earth), so gravity pulls Moon toward Earth. Correct.
• "Gravity keeps larger celestial objects in orbit around smaller ones": The text states smaller orbit larger, so this is wrong (larger don't orbit smaller via gravity here).
• "The Moon’s forward motion is perpendicular to Earth’s gravitational pull": In the diagram, gravity is toward Earth (horizontal arrow), forward motion is downward (perpendicular to horizontal). Correct.
• "An orbit is a perfectly circular path...": The text says "nearly circular or oval - shaped", not perfectly circular. Wrong.

Answer:

The Moon is drawn toward Earth by gravity.
The Moon’s forward motion is perpendicular to Earth’s gravitational pull.