Question

as the earth orbits the sun, it is constantly pulled by the unbalanced force of the suns gravity. what does the suns gravitational force do to the motion of the earth? it causes the earth to rotate on its axis. it increases the earths speed as it orbits. it decreases the earths speed as it orbits. it changes the direction of the earths motion.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• The Earth's rotation on its axis is due to internal factors (not Sun's gravity), so the first option is incorrect.
• The Earth's orbital speed is relatively constant (due to the balance of gravitational force and inertia in orbital motion), so it neither increases nor decreases speed, eliminating the second and third options.
• The Sun's gravitational force acts as a centripetal force, which changes the direction of the Earth's motion (keeping it in orbit instead of moving in a straight line due to inertia).

Answer:

It changes the direction of the Earth's motion.