Why is the work done by the gravitational force acting on an artificial satellite zero ? Give scientific reason
A satellite is under the influence of gravitational pull of earth. To balance this pull and to stay in the orbit, satellite has to circle arround earth to generate equal amount of centripetal force. due to this balance of forces gravitational force is not able to make any displacement of satellite towards the centre of earth therefore work done by gravitational force of earth is zero .
work = force x displacement in the direction of force
due to this balance of forces gravitational force is not able to make any displacement of satellite towards the centre of earth therefore work done by gravitational force of earth is zero . Work is done by a force only if the object has a movement along the direction of force.