Question

An astronaut finishes some work on the outside of his satellite, which is in circular orbit around the earth. By mistake, his wrench gets released from his hand, the wrench will continue to move in same orbit.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A True

Concept of free fall under gravity.

1. Objects circulating in orbit are under the influence of gravity alone and they are in free fall.
2. Only force acting is the gravitational interaction force by Earth,
3. Even though the wrench cannot be compared with astronauts in terms of mass and dimensions, they are falling under the same acceleration due to gravity.
4. Astronaut also feels weightless as the wrench.
5. Hence, the wrench will also continue to move in the same orbit as the astronaut does.

Hence, the statement is true.