why does a satellite stay in orbit???

Answer 1

When in a stable orbit, the force of gravity pulling the object down counterbalances the object's inertia, which makes the object want to move forever in a straight line (a tangent away from the planet) unless something stops it (in this case, gravity). Gravity pulls the path of the object into a circle or an ellipse. In other words, an object in stable orbit has just enough energy to not get pulled down by gravity, but not enough to escape completely.

Gravity gets weaker as you get further from the planet/star/whatever, so the "right" amount of energy is less at greater distances from the planet (objects in higher orbits move slower around the planet.)

Answer 2

This is the best illustration I saw regarding this question:

Draw a circle (the Earth). Draw a rocket going up at a 45 degree angle and landing (so that it's a small arch). Draw a taller 45-degree arch and see where it lands. The draw an arch that's so tall that the landing misses the earth. If you pick just the right height, the gravitational pull will keep attracting the rocket so that it orbits the earth, but does not fall to Earth or leave orbit.

Same principle for satellites. And there's one particular speed that will allow the satellite to move at the same speed as the rotation of the earth, meaning that it is geo-synchronous (that is, over the same point on the earth). If you get that just right, the satellite stays put, relative to earth, and doesn't fall (for quite a while).

Answer 3

The explanation that is easiest for most people to understand is that the centrifugal force of the circular motion of the satellite balances the pull of gravity.

The more physically accurate explanation is the one that several others gave, which is that the satellite is always falling toward the Earth, but since the Earth is round, the satellites high sideways motion with respect to the ground takes it over the horizon, along the curvature of the Earth, so fast that the ground is always curving away at the same rate the the satellite falls.

That second explanation is harder for most people to understand, but it does explain how the astronauts can be weightless even though they are well withing the Earth's gravity field, and it avoids the common misconception that an orbit is a delicate and easily upset balance of forces.

Answer 4

i'm no longer particular precisely what you're soliciting for. Are you asking why they don't choose the flow off into area, or why they don't fall decrease back to Earth? both way, i am going to respond to both one among those questions ;) the reason satellites do not merely choose the flow area is effortless. the large quantity of gravity produced by technique of Earth keeps the satellites interior sight. All count has some gravity. The more beneficial count there is in an merchandise, the more beneficial gravity it ought to have. And to respond to the different question. actual, satellites are falling decrease back to Earth, merely at a very slow cost. They go back and forth very quick, and centripetal stress acts upon them, conserving them customarily on the same altitude. They not in any respect decelerate after the first push, because there isn't any wind resistance. The farther faraway from Earth you get, the weaker the Earth's gravity is. Satellites are kept merely rather interior attain, merely so they don't choose the flow away. yet quickly sufficient, satellites will fall decrease back to earth. This takes a lengthy time period to ensue in spite of the undeniable fact that, and if the satellite tv for pc remains in operation, the vendors of the satellite tv for pc will regulate its area rather so it remains up there. On some activities, vacant satellites will crash decrease back to Earth. in many cases, they split contained in the ambience and rain down as unnoticeable dirt. sturdy success on your 'technology element'! Adam

Answer 5

A satellite travels tangentially to the earths surface.
It falls continually towards the surface,the curvature of the earth drops off at the same rate,the satellite does not hit the surface nor fly off into space,it is in orbit!

Answer 6

Imagine you are on a high mountain. You throw a rock off. It arcs back to the ground. Throw it faster and faster and it hits the ground further and further away. It arcs back because the air slows it down. Now imagine you are high enough and throw it far enough to clear the horizon. The rock continues to fall, but the earth falls away at the same rate, with no atmosphere to slow it down, it just keeps falling around the earth. This is orbit, constantly falling around the earth, held by the earth's gravity with no atmosphere to slow you down.

Answer 7

Speed. An object in orbit is basically always "falling" towards earth. It's just moving fast enough that, as it falls toward earth, it misses and circles back around. The gravity of the Earth continues trying to attract the sattelite toward the Earth's surface, but, since the object is moving so quickly, the object always overshoots the Earth and keeps moving.

Answer 8

It amazes me how few people actually understand this concept. An object stays in orbit because it's own movement counterbalances the gravitational force acting upon it. Well done 'Rochester'.

Answer 9

The gravitational pull of the planet it is orbiting.

Answer 10

No gravity in space to pull it down. It stays in the orbit in which it was placed.