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 continues 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?

  The Earth 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 equation for acceleration?


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

  The moon is accelerating despite constant speed
• What are the two key factors that result in a steady orbit?

  • Instantaneous velocity of the orbiting object
  • Gravitational pull of the larger object
• What happens if the moon's orbit is pulled in closer to the Earth?

  The gravitational force on the moon increases
• 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 orbit requires faster travel speed
  • Larger orbit allows for slower travel speed
• What is the consequence of not increasing speed when the orbit is smaller?

  The object will be pulled into the larger object
• What should you do if you enjoyed the video?

  Like and subscribe to the channel