Question

gravity keeps celestial objects in orbit, holds massive structures together, and drives the formation of all celestial objects throughout the universe.
determine whether each statement is true or false.

	true	false
planets form when gravity causes gas and dust in a nebula to collapse inward and heat to extreme temperatures.	◯	◯
the gravitational force between a star and a closely orbiting massive planet is stronger than the gravitational force between the star and a small planet orbiting it farther away.	◯	◯
stars form when gravity pulls clumps of dust, ice, and rocks together within protoplanetary disks.	◯	◯
submit
work it out

Explanation:

1. First Statement:

**: For a planet in orbit, the star’s gravitational pull provides the centripetal force balancing the planet’s forward (tangential) motion. This balance keeps the planet in a stable orbit.

*: Planets form from the accretion of gas and dust in a nebula, but stars* form when nebular gas/dust collapses under gravity and heats to extreme temperatures (nuclear fusion starts). Planetary formation involves accretion, not the same collapse that forms stars.

**: Gravitational force depends on mass (\( F = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2} \)): a massive planet (larger \( m_2 \)) close to the star (smaller \( r \)) will have a stronger force than a small planet (smaller \( m_2 \)) far away (larger \( r \)).

Answer:

**: True

2. Second Statement: