Question

If a nut becomes loose and gets detached from a satellite revolving around the earth, will it fall down to earth or will it revolve around earth? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 1

The nut is initially revolving around the Earth along with the satellite. Hence it revolves in the same orbit around the Earth even after it becomes loose because it doesn’t have extra energy to change its original orbit.

If an astronaut wants to make the nut fall down to earth he will have to force the nut to slow down and lose its orbital speed. And give it an initial velocity towards the earth’s center.

Answer 2

Answer:

Let g_pg

p

is the acceleration due to gravity at pole and g_eg

e

acceleration due to gravity at equator.

weight of the object at pole ,W_p=mg_pW

p

=mg

p

weight of the object at equator, W_e=mg_eW

e

=mg

e

a/c to question,

weight of the object at pole > weight of the object at equator.

e.g., m_pg_p > m_eg_em

p

g

p

>m

e

g

e

We know that, g_p > g_eg

p

>g

e

then, m_e > m_pm

e

>m

p

Hence, we can get more sugar at equator.