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Question

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


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Solution

Explanation:

  1. The gravitational force exerted by the earth on the moon provides the centripetal force required for the moon to orbit the earth.

  1. When there will be no gravitation pull from the earth, the moon will move in a straight line in the direction of its movement.
  2. So that time, the moon will move towards the direction of its velocity that is along the tangent of its orbit.

Hence, the moon will move in the direction of its velocity.


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