Both earth and moon are subjected to the gravitational force of the sun. as observed from the sun, the orbit of the moon

Options

A. will be elliptical
B. will not be strictly elliptical because the total gravitational force on it is not centre
C. is not elliptical but will necessarily be a closed curve
D. deviates considerably from being elliptical due to influence of planets other than the earth

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the orbit of the moon as observed from the sun, we will analyze the forces acting on the moon and how they affect its orbit.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Forces Acting on the Moon**:
- The moon is influenced by the gravitational forces from both the Earth and the Sun.
- The gravitational force from the Sun acts on both the Earth and the Moon.

2. **Defining Central Force**:
- A central force is one that is directed towards or away from a fixed point (in this case, the Sun) and its magnitude depends only on the distance from that point.
- The gravitational force exerted by the Sun on the moon is a central force because it is directed towards the Sun and follows the inverse square law.

3. **Considering the Gravitational Force from the Earth**:
- The moon also experiences a gravitational pull from the Earth. This force is not directed towards the Sun but rather towards the Earth.
- Therefore, the net gravitational force acting on the moon is a combination of the gravitational pull from the Earth and the gravitational pull from the Sun.

4. **Analyzing the Resultant Force**:
- Since the moon is under the influence of two forces (from the Earth and the Sun), the resultant force acting on the moon is not directed solely towards the Sun.
- This means that the total gravitational force acting on the moon is not a central force.

5. **Conclusion about the Moon's Orbit**:
- Because the net force acting on the moon is not a central force, the orbit of the moon will not be strictly elliptical.
- Instead, the orbit will be a closed curve that deviates from being perfectly elliptical due to the additional gravitational influence of the Earth.

### Final Answer:
The orbit of the moon, as observed from the Sun, will not be strictly elliptical because the total gravitational force on it is not central.

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