The planet Jupiter orbits the Sun at a nearly constant speed. Which of the following statements are true?

(Select the two best answers).

a. There is a force on Jupiter toward the center of the orbit.

b. There is a force on Jupiter pulling it out from the center of the orbit.

c. There is a force on Jupiter in the direction of its motion.

d. Jupiter is accelerating toward the center of the orbit

a. There is a force on Jupiter toward the center of the orbit.

d. Jupiter is accelerating toward the center of the orbit.

Explanation:

Let us look at each of the choices one by one:

a. There is a force on Jupiter toward the center of the orbit.

True. The sun being at the center of Jupiter's orbit, pulls the planet towards it (providing the centripetal force), therefore, there exists a force on Jupiter toward the center of the orbit.

b. There is a force on Jupiter pulling it out from the center of the orbit.

Nope. The centripetal force due to gravity acts towards the center of the orbit.

c. There is a force on Jupiter in the direction of its motion.

Nope. There exists only the centripetal force acting towards the center of the orbit,

d. Jupiter is accelerating toward the center of the orbit.

Yes. Because of the centripetal force gravity provides, Jupiter is accelerating towards the center of the orbit, but it does not fall in because it has velocity perpendicular to the direction of its acceleration.