why do the planets not travel in a straight path

Question

anonymous · Answer

gravitational force of the Sun, thankfully

lastdaywork · Answer

@gameboy
Why do you expect planets to travel in a straight path?

anonymous · Answer

A body in motion continues in that same direction and speed unless acted upon by a force.

anonymous · Answer

There is this term called Inertia... Isaac Newton said these two things;
1.) If an object is at rest, it will remain at rest.
2.) An object in motion, tends to stay in motion.

With this said, an object tends to stay in a uniform position/path UNLESS another FORCE is present. Henceforth, the gravitational field of the sun causes the planets to follow a curved path around it. Its more elliptical rather than circular due to this concept.

lastdaywork · Answer

@douglaswinslowcooper , @masterkman
I was trying to see if @gameboy wanted a co-relation between planetary and terrestrial motion; or simply a precise answer to his question.

anonymous · Answer

@LastDayWork You do nice work.

lastdaywork · Answer

Thanks :)