Question

A satellite orbiting close to the surface of the Earth does not fall down because the gravitational pull of the Earth

• A. is balanced by the gravitational pull of the Moon.
• B. is balanced by the gravitational pull of the Sun.
• C. provides the necessary acceleration for its motion along the circular path.
• D. makes it weightless.

Answer 1

The correct option is C provides the necessary acceleration for its motion along the circular path.

As the satellite revolves around the Earth, the gravitation force of the Earth is balanced by the centrifugal force which makes it not fall on the Earth.

$f_g=f_{centrifugal}⟹\frac{m{v}^2}{r}=\frac{GMm}{r^2}$

This gives orbital velocity, $v=\sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}$