A satellite of the earth is revolving in a circular orbit...

A satellite of the earth is revolving in a circular orbit with a uniform speed $\mathrm{v} .$ If the gravitational force suddenly disappears, the satellite will (A) Continue to move with velocity $\mathrm{v}$ along the original orbit. (B) Move with a Velocity $\mathrm{v}$, tangentially to the original orbit. (C) Fall down with increasing velocity. (D) Ultimately come to rest somewhere on the original orbit.

A satellite of the earth is revolving in a circular orbit with a uniform speed $\mathrm{v} .$ If the gravitational force suddenly disappears, the satellite will
(A) Continue to move with velocity $\mathrm{v}$ along the original orbit.
(B) Move with a Velocity $\mathrm{v}$, tangentially to the original orbit.
(C) Fall down with increasing velocity.
(D) Ultimately come to rest somewhere on the original orbit.

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Key Concepts

Newton's First Law of Motion

Newton's First Law states that an object in motion will continue to move in a straight line at constant speed unless acted on by an external force. For the satellite, with gravity suddenly absent, no force remains to alter its direction, so it will continue in the initially directed, straight-line path.

Uniform Circular Motion and Centripetal Force

A satellite in a circular orbit relies on a centripetal force, provided by gravity, to continually change its direction and keep it moving along a curved path. Without this inward force, the satellite's path will change from circular to linear, following the tangent at the point where the force ended.

Inertia and Tangential Velocity

In orbital motion, at any instant the satellite's velocity is tangential to its path. In the absence of gravitational (centripetal) force, the principle of inertia ensures that the satellite proceeds in the direction of this tangential velocity, rather than continuing in a circular orbit.

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