Explain why you might describe the orbital motion of the moon with the statement "The moon us faling"

Answer 1

Since I know the moon is receding from us, I imagine I would have to be drunk to say it is falling.

Answer 2

Motion Of Moon

Answer 3

I think you meant "the moon is falling", but ok.

The moon is 'falling' because the moon is in orbit around our planet. Imagine i build a tower with a canon on top. when I fire the canon, the canon ball flies and falls on the ground some distance later. Now, assume i build the tower taller. When i fire the canon this time, the ball will fly and fall on the ground a farther distance away.

If we keep doing that, the canon ball will fall further and further from the tower until at some height the canon ball falls and 'misses' earth. Here's a picture:

http://astro.unl.edu/naap/atmosphere/graphics/OrbitingCannonBalls.png

So the moon is similar; it's being attracted to earth from our gravity, but it's velocity is great enough to keep it from ever hitting the surface.

I Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Hi

Patrick is correct, I think

Good luck