Question

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 ${\text{9.80 m/s}}^{\text{2}}$. Who do you agree with and why?

Short answer

Anna is correct; the satellite is in free fall, and the centripetal force balances its gravitational force.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Satellite

A satellite is an item that is placed into orbit on purpose.

Determining the right person

Anna is correct; the satellite is in free fall, and the centripetal force balances its gravitational force.

Because of the principle of laughing a satellite, when a body is projected from the top of the tower with some horizontal speed, the body will describe a parabolic path under the effect of gravity and hit the surface of the earth. If we go on increasing the initial horizontal speed of projection of the body, its range will also increase, and finally, a stage comes when the body will not hit the earth. However, remain in a state of free fall under gravity at all times. Then body describes a circular path and becomes a satellite of the earth. At this stage, the gravitational force of the body will be balanced by centripetal force.