Newton’s cannon ball and the moon

runner2392

This applet was used for the hw: http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/cla...t/newtmtn.html

Explain or critique the following statement: “Just like Newton’s cannon ball, the moon orbits the earth because it falls around the earth.”

I agree with the statement. Is there a difference between the orbit of an LEO and the moon? I think the moon's orbit is more elliptical but not sure if a cannon ball would also orbit elliptically once launched into orbit.

SHISHKABOB

well, what equations do you know how orbital velocity and radius, what are the variables in them?