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? I think the answer is B but not sure.
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
To determine what can be concluded about the reaction force of an object in a circular orbit around the Earth, we need to consider the basic principles of circular motion and Newton's third law of motion.
Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the case of an object in orbit, there are two forces at play: the gravitational force pulling the object towards the Earth and the centripetal force keeping the object in its circular path.
The centripetal force is directed towards the center of the circular orbit and is provided by the gravitational force. According to Newton's third law, the object exerts an equal and opposite reaction force on the Earth. This means the reaction force is directed towards the Earth and acts upward from the Earth's surface.
Hence, the correct answer is option B) The reaction force is a force that acts on the Earth directed upward toward the object.