Physical Science

Question

How does the motion of the Earth provide us with life and How does the Earth take care of us through its motion around the sun, Through the moon’s motion around the Earth?

Answer 1

Hi Iy G.,

If the Earth weren't revolving around the Sun, it would be falling into the Sun, that's the end of you. The Moon, if it weren't revolving around the Earth, would be falling into it, that's the end of you. Kind of repetitious fate. BUT -- if both motions were stopped, which impact would kill you first? Now you need to do a little calculus, integrating the gravitational force equations twice (each). And, suppose Venus were squarely in the way of Earth's fall to the Sun. You would still be killed, but after that (planet-wise)?

Presumably that's what your instructor is looking for, though you could also say all sorts of things about the Seasons, the (slight) variation of length of day as the Earth reaches perigee in its orbit, the effect of the tides on Earth's daylength and possible effects on evolution of life on Earth, and so on.

--Cheers, --Mr. d.