Question

Suppose gravity of Earth suddenly becomes zero, then in which direction will the Moon begin to move if no other celestial body affects it?

• A. The Moon will move in a straight line.
• B. The Moon will not move at all.
• C. The Moon will move in a curved line.
• D. The Moon will continue its circular path.

Answer 1

The correct option is A The Moon will move in a straight line.

The Moon will begin to move in a straight line in the direction in which it was moving at that instant. This straight line will be a tangent to the circular. This happens because the circular motion of the Moon is due to the centripetal force provided by the gravitational force of the Earth.