1. Two friends are having a conversation. Anna says a satellite in orbit is in f

Question

1. Two friends are having a conversation. Anna says a satellite in orbit is in freefall because the satellite keeps falling toward Earth. Tom says a satellite in orbit is not in freefall because the acceleration due to gravity is not 9.80 m/s2. Who do you agree with and why?

2.

(a) Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Earth due to the Moon.

(b) Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity at Earth due to the Sun.

(c) Take the ratio of the Moons acceleration to the Suns and comment on why the tides are predominantly due to the Moon in spite of this number.

3. Find the mass of Jupiter based on data for the orbit of one of its moons, and compare your result with its actual mass

Explanation / Answer

1) Anna is right , satellite is in free fall and its gravitational force is balanced by centripetal force.

Because from principle of launching a satellite , when a body is projected from the top of tower with some horizontal speed ,the body will describe a parabolic path under the effect of gravity and hit the surface of earth. If we go on increasing the initial horizontal speed of projection of body,its range will also increases and finally a stage come when body will not hit the earth.but always be in a state of free fall under gravity.Then body describe a circular path and become satellite of earth. At this stage gravitational force of body will balanced by centripetal force.

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