Moderate

A satellite remains in an orbit around the earth due to the centripetal force provided by:

Correct answer: B. The gravitational pull of the earth on the satellite

  • A. The gravitational pull of the sun on the satellite
  • B. The gravitational pull of the earth on the satellite
  • C. The rocket engine attached to the satellite
  • D. None of the above

Explanation

Satellites remain in orbit around the Earth due to the gravitational pull of the Earth. This gravitational force provides the centripetal force required to keep the satellite in a stable orbit. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, every mass attracts every other mass in the universe with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. In the case of a satellite orbiting the Earth, the gravitational force between the Earth and the satellite provides the centripetal force needed to keep the satellite in its circular or elliptical orbit.

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