Question

A satellite maintains an orbit equidistant from the earth at all points along its orbital path.

How is the satellite affected by the earth's gravity?

Answer 1

Gravity is pulling on the satellite towards the center of Earth perpendicular to the velocity of the satellite.

Step-by-step explanation:

On a circular orbit, the force towards the center must be perpendicular to the velocity.

Answer 2

A satellite maintains an orbit equidistant from the earth at all points along its path of orbit due to centripetal force of earth or force of gravity.

Explanation

A centripetal force is a type of force that makes the object follow a closed path.

The orbits of satellite due to the force of centripetal produced by the gravity of earth.

As the earth has a bigger size than the satellite, the gravity force pulls the satellite towards earth, else it will move away from earth.