Why don't the occupants of the space station fall to Earth despite the gravitational field acting on them?

Orbital Mechanics and Gravitational Concepts

Interactive Video
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Physics
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9th - 10th Grade
•
Hard

Patricia Brown
FREE Resource
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10 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
They are in a constant state of free fall towards Earth.
They are too far from Earth to be affected by gravity.
They are held up by the atmosphere.
The space station has its own gravitational field.
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What is the key factor that allows an object to maintain a circular orbit around Earth?
Its mass is greater than Earth's.
It has a tangential velocity perpendicular to the gravitational pull.
It is not affected by Earth's gravity.
It is stationary relative to Earth.
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
In Newton's thought experiment, what happens to the cannonball if it is fired fast enough?
It falls back to Earth immediately.
It hovers in place above the mountain.
It escapes Earth's gravitational pull completely.
It enters a stable orbit around Earth.
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which equation is used to calculate the velocity needed for a stable orbit?
V = M * R^2 / G
V = 2 * pi * R / T
V = sqrt(G * M / R)
V = G * M / R^2
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What does the variable 'R' represent in the equation for orbital velocity?
The radius of the planet.
The distance from the center of the planet to the object.
The mass of the object in orbit.
The gravitational constant.
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
How can the period of an object's orbit be calculated?
By subtracting the radius from the mass of the planet.
By adding the gravitational constant to the velocity.
By multiplying the gravitational force by the mass of the object.
By dividing the circumference of the orbit by the velocity.
7.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What is the relationship between velocity and the period of an orbiting object?
Velocity has no relation to the period.
Velocity is equal to the period.
Velocity is inversely proportional to the period.
Velocity is directly proportional to the period.
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