If suddenly the gravitational force of attraction between earth and a satellite revolving around it becomes zero, then the satellite will:
Correct answer: B. Move tangentially to the original orbit in the same velocity.
- A. Continue to move in its orbit with the same velocity
- B. Move tangentially to the original orbit in the same velocity.
- C. Become stationary in its orbit.
- D. Move towards the earth.
Explanation
This is the following solution: For a body moving around an object, it is bound by the centripetal force of the object on the body. This force is along the line connecting the body and the object. But the velocity of the body will be perpendicular to this force, which is tangent. When the force of gravity is essentially zero, there is no binding for the satellite to revolve around the Earth. Since it moves in the tangent direction with velocity 'v', it continues in the same direction with the same velocity 'v'. Hence, it moves tangentially to orbit due to the inertia of direction.
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Newton’s law of universal gravitation relates the force between masses to their masses and separation, while gravitational field strength explains weight and orbital motion. The topic covers satellite velocity and period, escape ideas, weightlessness in free fall, and artificial gravity, which differs from ordinary gravitational attraction.
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