Question

If suddenly the gravitational force of attraction between the earth and a satellite revolving around it becomes zero, then the satellite will ___________

(a) Continue to move in its orbit with the same velocity

(b) Move tangentially to the original orbit with the same velocity

(c) Become stationary in its orbit

(d) Move towards the earth

I had been asked this question in semester exam.

My doubt stems from Intensity of Gravitational Field in section Mechanical Properties of Solids of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

Correct choice is (b) Move tangentially to the original orbit with the same velocity

To explain: If the gravitational force suddenly becomes zero, the satellite will move tangentially to the original orbit with the velocity, it was revolving around the earth.