Logout Open In App
Open In App
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/html/web/app/themes/studypress-core-theme/template-parts/header/mobile-offcanvas.php on line 20

Chapter 6: Q20 CQ (page 220)

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 not9.80 m/s2. Who do you agree with and why?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Tom’s statement is not correct because an object does not need to fall with acceleration of 9.8m/s2to consider it as free fall.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of free fall body

When gravity force alone acts on body then the vertical motion of the body called as free fall.

02

Explanation of correct statement

The only force that acts on the satellite is gravity as the satellite keeps falling to earth. Gravity balances the centrifugal force that comes into the picture due to the curvature of the earth therefore Anna’s statement is correct.

Tom’s statement is not correct because an object does not need to fall with an acceleration of 9.8m/s2to consider a free fall.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Space debris left from old satellites and their launchers is becoming a hazard to other satellites

(a) Calculate the speed of a satellite in an orbit900 km above Earth’s surface.

(b) Suppose a loose rivet is in an orbit of the same radius that intersects the satellite’s orbit at an angle of90°relative to Earth. What is the velocity of the rivet relative to the satellite just before striking it?

(c) Given the rivet is 3.00 mmin size, how long will its collision with the satellite last?

(d) If its mass is0.500 g, what is the average force it exerts on the satellite? (e) How much energy in joules is generated by the collision? (The satellite’s velocity does not change appreciably, because its mass is much greater than the rivet’s.)

Modern roller coasters have vertical loops like the one shown in Figure. The radius of curvature is smaller at the top than on the sides so that the downward centripetal acceleration at the top will be greater than the acceleration due to gravity, keeping the passengers pressed firmly into their seats. What is the speed of the roller coaster at the top of the loop if the radius of curvature there is \({\bf{15}}.{\bf{0}}{\rm{ }}{\bf{m}}\) and the downward acceleration of the car is \({\bf{1}}.{\bf{50g}}\)?.

What is the ideal banking angle for a gentle turn of \(1.20{\rm{ km}}\) radius on a highway with a \(105{\rm{ km}}/{\rm{h}}\) speed limit (about \(65{\rm{ mi}}/{\rm{h}}\)), assuming everyone travels at the limit?

When a toilet is flushed or a sink is drained, the water (and other material) begins to rotate about the drain on the way down. Assuming no initial rotation and a flow initially directly straight toward the drain, explain what causes the rotation and which direction it has in the northern hemisphere. (Note that this is a small effect and in most toilets the rotation is caused by directional water jets.) Would the direction of rotation reverse if water were forced up the drain?

Action at a distance, such as is the case for gravity, was once thought to be illogical and therefore untrue. What is the ultimate determinant of the truth in physics, and why was this action ultimately accepted?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Torque and Rotational Motion

Read Explanation

Electric Charge Field and Potential

Read Explanation

Electricity and Magnetism

Read Explanation

Atoms and Radioactivity

Read Explanation

Space Physics

Read Explanation

Thermodynamics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free