GCSE Physics - What is an Orbit? #86

The video explains the concept of orbits, focusing on why celestial objects orbit rather than moving in a straight line or being pulled into the object they orbit. It discusses Newton's first law, the gravitational pull of larger objects, and how these forces result in a stable orbit. The video also covers how velocity and acceleration are related to orbits, emphasizing that a change in direction means acceleration. Finally, it explores the relationship between the size of an object's orbit and its speed, noting that a smaller orbit requires a faster speed to maintain stability.

What is an orbit in the context of celestial objects?

• A stationary position of a celestial object

• A straight path of a celestial object

• A random movement of a celestial object

• A curved path of a celestial object around another

According to Newton's first law, what happens to an object traveling at a certain velocity?

• It will stop immediately

• It will change direction randomly

• It will continue at that velocity unless acted upon by a force

• It will accelerate continuously

Why does the moon not get pulled directly into the Earth despite the gravitational force?

• The moon is moving too slowly

• The Earth's gravity is too weak

• The moon's forward momentum balances the gravitational pull

• The moon is too far from the Earth

What happens to the moon's velocity as it orbits the Earth?

• It remains constant in both speed and direction

• It changes in speed but not in direction

• It accelerates in speed continuously

• It changes in direction but not in speed

What must happen for an object to maintain a stable orbit if its orbit size decreases?

• The object must slow down

• The object must increase its speed

• The object must stop moving

• The object must move in a straight line