GravOrbits NOTES 3- Orbital Motion

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why astronauts appear to float while orbiting the Earth?

• There is no gravity in space

• They are moving at the same speed as their spacecraft, creating a state of free fall

• The Earth's gravity is too weak to affect them

• Their spacesuits make them lighter

Multiple Choice

What is an orbit?

• A straight path taken by objects in space

• A curved pathway taken by large bodies in space

• A stationary position in space

• A random movement in space

Multiple Select

Which two forces are responsible for keeping an object in orbit?

• Gravity

• Friction

• Inertia

• Magnetism

Multiple Choice

What happens if inertia is much greater than gravity for an object near a planet?

• The object will collide with the planet

• The object will stay in orbit

• The object will move away from the planet

• The object will stop moving

Multiple Choice

According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, what happens to the force of gravity if the distance between two objects increases?

• Gravity increases

• Gravity decreases

• Gravity stays the same

• Gravity disappears