- #1
atlantic
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Why is the gravitational force normal to the path of a satellite, planet etc. ?
Gravitational Force: Why is Normal to Path of Satellites, Planets?
- Thread starter atlantic
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In summary, the gravitational force is not always normal to the path of a satellite, planet, etc. unless the orbit is circular. It is actually towards whatever it is orbiting around. The reason why a force perpendicular to the motion produces a circular orbit is because an object moving at a constant speed in a circle has an acceleration always pointing towards the center of the circle.
- #2
tiny-tim
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hi atlantic 
it isn't (unless the orbit is circular), it's towards whatever it's orbiting around
atlantic said:
it isn't (unless the orbit is circular), it's towards whatever it's orbiting around
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Ken G
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Maybe your question is, why does a force perpendicular to the motion produce a circular orbit? If so, the answer is that an object moving at constant speed in a circle has an acceleration always pointing toward the center of the circle. To see that, analyze the two components of the circular motion (x and y motion) separately, and analyxe the accelerations of the x and y motion separately, and then add the results you got for the acceleration together-- you should see that it always points toward the center.
Related to Gravitational Force: Why is Normal to Path of Satellites, Planets?
1. What is gravitational force?
Gravitational force is a natural phenomenon that describes the attraction between two objects with mass. It is responsible for the motion of planets, moons, satellites, and other celestial bodies in the universe.
2. How does gravitational force affect the path of satellites and planets?
The gravitational force between two objects determines the shape and path of their orbits. For instance, the gravitational force between the Earth and the Moon keeps the Moon in its orbit around the Earth. Similarly, the gravitational force between the Sun and the planets keeps them in their respective orbits.
3. Why is the path of satellites and planets considered normal?
The path of satellites and planets can be considered normal because it follows the laws of gravity and orbits around a central body. This path is also referred to as an elliptical orbit, which is a common path for celestial bodies in our solar system.
4. How does the strength of gravitational force affect the path of satellites and planets?
The strength of gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This means that the stronger the gravitational force, the tighter the orbit will be, and the weaker the force, the wider the orbit will be.
5. Can gravitational force change the path of a satellite or planet?
Yes, gravitational force can change the path of a satellite or planet if there is another object with a significant mass that exerts a force on it. For example, the gravitational pull of Jupiter can affect the paths of other planets in our solar system, causing them to deviate from their original orbits.
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