Solution Found!
A space shuttle in orbit around the Earth carries its
Chapter 5, Problem 11MCQ(choose chapter or problem)
A space shuttle in orbit around the Earth carries its payload with its mechanical arm. Suddenly, the arm malfunctions and releases the payload. What will happen to the payload?
(a) It will fall straight down and hit the Earth.
(b) It will follow a curved path and eventually hit the Earth.
(c) It will remain in the same orbit with the shuttle.
(d) It will drift out into deep space
Questions & Answers
QUESTION: Problem 11MCQ
A space shuttle in orbit around the Earth carries its payload with its mechanical arm. Suddenly, the arm malfunctions and releases the payload. What will happen to the payload?
(a) It will fall straight down and hit the Earth.
(b) It will follow a curved path and eventually hit the Earth.
(c) It will remain in the same orbit with the shuttle.
(d) It will drift out into deep space
ANSWER:
Problem 11 MCQ
A space shuttle in orbit around the Earth carries its payload with its mechanical arm. Suddenly, the arm malfunctions and releases the payload. What will happen to the payload?
(a) It will fall straight down and hit the Earth.
(b) It will follow a curved path and eventually hit the Earth.
(c) It will remain in the same orbit with the shuttle.
(d) It will drift out into deep space
Step by Step Solution
Step 1 of 2
When a space shuttle carrying its payload is travelling in a certain orbit about Earth with the mechanical arm, then the speed of the payload as well as the space shuttle are identical before the payload is released from the arm.