Force and velocity
This simulation shows
the gravitational forces (red arrows) between the bodies in the Solar System,
and their velocities (blue arrows).
Alternative simulations:
single
view centred on Sun
single view centred
on Earth
Beyond a certain length - indicated by a bar across the arrow - the
arrows grow logarithmically (so that a doubling in force or velocity
would be shown as a fixed increase in length). This allows a much greater
range of magnitudes of force and velocity to be displayed side-by-side on
the screen.
Increase the "Arrow scaling" control to view the velocities of the slower
moving outer planets - or view all the forces on in zoomed-in view of the
Sun.
Each object in the Solar System is attracted to every other one, but the
forces between the planets are far smaller than the mutual attractions between
each planet and the Sun, simply because of the Sun's overwhelming mass.
Looking at each inner planets and the Sun, you'll notice the matching forces
of attraction between them.
Each object (this is especially noticable with the Sun) has a number of different
forces (shown by line headed arrows) acting on it. This are added together
to give the total (or resultant) force on each object (shown by the solid
headed arrow).
For the Sun the resultant force is in the general direction of Jupiter (by
far the most massive planet).
For the planets, the attraction of the Sun is by far the most significant
force they experience, so the the resultant force towards the Sun overlays
the component force (towards it) which cannot be seen separately.
Even the Earth's attraction to the Moon scarcely deflects its attraction
to the Sun. The Moon's attraction to the Earth, however, does significantly
deflect its attraction to the Sun.
Zoom in on the Earth to see the faint attractions of other planets (identified
by their positions relative to Earth on the upper view). The attraction of
Jupiter is the most significant, rivalled by Mars and Venus whenever they
pass close to the Earth.