Question

Which of the following statements are true of an object in orbit around Earth? (Select all that apply.) The gravity force on the object always has components both parallel and perpendicular to the object's velocity. If the orbit is circular, the gravity force is perpendicular to the object's velocity. If the orbit is elliptical, the gravity force is perpendicular to the velocity vector only at the nearest and farthest points. If the orbit is not circular, the speed is greatest when the object is farthest away from Earth. All these statements are true.

Answer 1

Answer:

All these statement are true

Explanation:

Gravity will be acting like a centripetal force for the circular motion of object around earth, which makes it perpendicular to the velocity vector. In the case of elliptical motion, gravity can still be divided into 2 vectors, one parallel and the other perpendicular to the velocity. At the nearest point in elliptical motion, gravity is directly perpendicular to velocity just like in circular motion. At the farthest point, the potential energy is minimized and has been converted into kinetic energy. Therefore at this point the speed is greatest.