Orbits

• What is an orbit?

  The curved path of one celestial object around another
• Why do objects orbit rather than fly off in a straight line?

  Due to the balance of velocity and gravitational force
• What does Newton's first law state about an object's motion?

  An object will continue at constant velocity unless acted upon
• If the moon travels at $1023 \text{ m/s}$, what is this speed called?


  Instantaneous velocity
• How does the Earth's mass affect the moon's orbit?

  It exerts a strong gravitational pull on the moon
• What happens to the moon's direction due to Earth's gravitational force?

  The moon's direction is constantly changing
• Why is the moon considered to be always orbiting the Earth?

  Because the gravitational force changes its direction
• What does velocity measure?

  Both speed and direction of an object
• What does a change in velocity imply according to the acceleration equation?


  It implies that there is an acceleration
• What must happen when the moon changes direction in its orbit?

  It must be accelerating
• What are the two key factors that result in a steady orbit?

  Instantaneous velocity and gravitational pull
• What happens if the moon's orbit is pulled in closer to the Earth?

  The gravitational force will increase significantly
• What must the moon do to maintain a stable orbit if it gets closer to Earth?

  It must travel much faster
• What is the relationship between the size of an object's orbit and its speed?

  Smaller orbits require faster speeds to maintain stability
• What happens if an object does not travel fast enough in its orbit?

  It will be pulled into the object it orbits
• What are the key concepts related to orbits discussed in the video?

  • Definition of an orbit
  • Newton's first law of motion
  • Instantaneous velocity and gravitational pull
  • Relationship between orbit size and speed