A planet is orbiting a nearby star. Suppose that the star's gravity increases over time. What effect will this increase most likely have on the planet's path of motion?

A.

The planet will continue to move in an elliptical orbit around the star.

B.

The planet will begin to orbit the star at a constant speed.

C.

The shape of the planet's orbit will change from elliptical to circular.

D.

The planet's orbital path will become smaller and its orbital period will increase.

E.

The planet will begin to orbit the star in the opposite direction.

D. The planet's orbital path will become smaller and its orbital period will increase.

The more gravity an object has, the more it will pull objects.

The correct answer will be option D.

Explanation:

Planets orbit around the Sun (star) due to the gravity of this star which pulls down them around it. This gravity is the vital force which maintains the elliptical path of their orbit.

If this force of gravity will change it will affect the celestial bodies revolving around it like a planet as this force of gravity is directly proportional to mass and inversely proportional to the distance between them.

According to the question if the gravity of the star increases it will change the orbital path of the planets as they will be more pulled towards the sun which will decrease the distance between the star and planet and the orbital path will become smaller and the orbital period will increase.

Thus, option D is the correct answer.