Astronomy Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Preparation Guide

The key factor that contributes to the orbit of the Moon around the Earth is gravitational attraction. This is a fundamental aspect of celestial mechanics, where two bodies with mass exert a force on each other due to gravity. In the case of the Earth and the Moon, the Earth’s mass creates a gravitational pull that attracts the Moon, keeping it in orbit. This gravitational force is what maintains the delicate balance between the Moon's velocity and the pull of Earth, preventing it from either spiraling into the Earth or drifting away into space.

Solar wind refers to the stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun and does not have a substantial effect on the Moon's orbit around the Earth. Electromagnetic forces, while significant in other contexts, do not play a direct role in the motion of celestial bodies like the Moon. Planetary alignments can influence gravitational forces to some degree, but they are not a primary factor in maintaining the Moon's orbit. The stability of the Moon's orbit is primarily due to the consistent gravitational pull of the Earth, making it the most relevant factor in this scenario.