Satellite Orbital Motion Understanding · PhysicsBowl 2021 #20
Physics · mechanics
Problem
A simple and correct way to comprehend satellites orbiting Earth is to view them as
A) balanced between gravitational and centripetal forces.
B) beyond the main pull of Earth's gravity.
C) in mechanical equilibrium with a net force of zero.
D) having sufficient tangential velocities to fall around rather than into Earth.
E) All of the above.