Question

If suddenly the gravitational force of attraction between the earth and a satellite revolving around it becomes zero, what will happen?

• A. The satellite will continue to move in its orbit with the same velocity
• B. The satellite will move tangentially and escape away from its orbit
• C. The satellite will become stationary in its orbit
• D. The satellite will move towards the earth

Answer 1

The correct option is B The satellite will move tangentially and escape away from its orbit

When the gravitational force of attraction between the earth and a satellite becomes zero, then the centripetal force cannot be provided. In the absence of centripetal force the satellite will tend to move tangential to the original orbit with the same velocity that the satellite had at the instant before the gravitation force becomes zero. Hence the satellite will move tangentially and will escape away from its orbit.