The planet Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. What is the direction of the force that keeps Phobos orbiting Mars? A) toward the Sun B) toward Deimos toward the center of Mars toward the center of Mars

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### Understanding the Orbital Forces of Martian Moons

The planet Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. A common question in planetary science concerns the nature and direction of the forces that keep celestial bodies in orbit. 

**Question:**
What is the direction of the force that keeps Phobos orbiting Mars?

**Options:**
- (A) Toward the Sun
- (B) Toward Deimos
- (C) Toward the center of Mars
- (D) Toward the center of Mars

**Explanation:**

For any body in orbit, whether it is a moon around a planet or a planet around a star, the force responsible for maintaining the orbit is centripetal force, directed towards the center of the primary celestial body. In this scenario, the gravitational force exerted by Mars pulls Phobos toward its center, maintaining its orbit around the planet.

Thus, the correct answer is:

**(C) Toward the center of Mars**

### Graphs and Diagrams

There are no graphs or diagrams provided in this image. However, if there were, they would typically illustrate concepts such as gravitational forces, orbital paths, and the relative positions of Mars, Phobos, and Deimos.

Understanding these elementary concepts helps in grasping the fundamental principles of astrophysics and the mechanics governing celestial bodies within our solar system. 

For further reading, consider exploring topics such as Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, Kepler's laws of planetary motion, and the specific characteristics of Mars' moons, Phobos and Deimos. Happy learning!
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding the Orbital Forces of Martian Moons The planet Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. A common question in planetary science concerns the nature and direction of the forces that keep celestial bodies in orbit. **Question:** What is the direction of the force that keeps Phobos orbiting Mars? **Options:** - (A) Toward the Sun - (B) Toward Deimos - (C) Toward the center of Mars - (D) Toward the center of Mars **Explanation:** For any body in orbit, whether it is a moon around a planet or a planet around a star, the force responsible for maintaining the orbit is centripetal force, directed towards the center of the primary celestial body. In this scenario, the gravitational force exerted by Mars pulls Phobos toward its center, maintaining its orbit around the planet. Thus, the correct answer is: **(C) Toward the center of Mars** ### Graphs and Diagrams There are no graphs or diagrams provided in this image. However, if there were, they would typically illustrate concepts such as gravitational forces, orbital paths, and the relative positions of Mars, Phobos, and Deimos. Understanding these elementary concepts helps in grasping the fundamental principles of astrophysics and the mechanics governing celestial bodies within our solar system. For further reading, consider exploring topics such as Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, Kepler's laws of planetary motion, and the specific characteristics of Mars' moons, Phobos and Deimos. Happy learning!
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