An object in the vacuum of space orbits the earth at a fixed speed in a circular orbit several
hundred miles above the earth. What can we conclude about the reaction force?
a) That there is no reaction force-the net force on the object is zero, so the reaction
force is zero too.
b) The reaction force is a force that acts on the earth directed upward toward the object.
c) There is no reaction force- there’s a net force on the object, but zero reaction force because the
object is out in space.
d) The reaction force is a normal force that acts upward from the Earth’s surface.
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To answer this question, we need to understand Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When an object orbits the Earth, it experiences a centripetal force that keeps it in its circular path. According to Newton's third law, there must be a corresponding reaction force.
In this scenario, the object is in the vacuum of space, several hundred miles above the Earth. Since there are no other significant forces acting on the object, the only force causing it to move in a circular path is the gravitational force between the Earth and the object. According to Newton's third law, the reaction force must be of equal magnitude but opposite in direction to the force of gravity acting on the object.
Therefore, the correct answer is (b) The reaction force is a force that acts on the Earth directed upward toward the object.