Orbit: Perfect Balance

Question 1

centripetal force…

Answer 1

• a force that causes an object to move in a circle

- the object always pulls toward the center

Question 2

orbit… the perfect balance

Answer 2

• inertia + gravity

- forward motion + downward pull

Question 3

orbit

Answer 3

• object speeds by planet with a lot of momentum
• gravity attracts the object to the planet and vice versa
• object continues to try to move forward, but is pulled down by gravity
• the result is a balances of forces pushing the object out and pulling it in, making a circular orbit

Question 4

out of balance?

Answer 4

• too much inertia?: the object will fly off into space

- too much gravity?: the object will smash towards the center