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If the gravitational attraction between Earth and an orbiting satellite were to become zero all at once, what would the satellite do?

1. Keep revolving in the same orbit with unchanged speed
2. Continue along the tangent to its original path with the same speed
3. Remain fixed at its present position in the orbit
4. Travel toward the Earth

Correct answer: Continue along the tangent to its original path with the same speed

Solution

If gravity suddenly vanished, the only force on the satellite disappears, so by Newton's first law it continues in a straight line along the tangent to its orbit at its existing speed.

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