Ncert Exercises & Solutions

In our solar system, the interplanetary region has chunks of matter (much smaller in size compared to planets) called asteroids. They:

1.	will not move around the sun, since they have very small masses compared to the sun.
2.	will move in an irregular way because of their small masses and will drift away into outer space.
3.	will move around the sun in closed orbits but not obey Kepler’s laws.
4.	will move in orbits like planets and obey Kepler’s laws.

Hint: A body moves in a circular orbit if the forces acting on it are central in nature.

Step: Observe the force acting on the asteroids.

Asteroids are also being acted upon by central gravitational forces, hence they are moving in circular orbits like planets and obey Kepler's laws.