The Moon moves round the Earth in an almost circular orbit with nearly constant speed
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
The Moon moves round the Earth in an almost circular orbit with nearly constant speed.
(a) Is the Moon in accelerated motion? Give a detailed reason for your answer based on the concept of velocity.
(b) What is the direction of the net force acting on the Moon at any instant? Justify your answer.
(c) Briefly describe how the motion of the Moon would change if this net force were suddenly removed.