Question
What happens to artificial satellites sent into the Earth’s orbit?
(1 point)
Responses
They orbit the earth indefinitely until someone removes them.
They orbit the earth indefinitely until someone removes them.
They eventually leave orbit and fly into deep space.
They eventually leave orbit and fly into deep space.
They break apart over time, and become tiny bits of metal, chips, and screws.
They break apart over time, and become tiny bits of metal, chips, and screws.
Their orbit decays and they burn up as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
(1 point)
Responses
They orbit the earth indefinitely until someone removes them.
They orbit the earth indefinitely until someone removes them.
They eventually leave orbit and fly into deep space.
They eventually leave orbit and fly into deep space.
They break apart over time, and become tiny bits of metal, chips, and screws.
They break apart over time, and become tiny bits of metal, chips, and screws.
Their orbit decays and they burn up as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:
**Their orbit decays and they burn up as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere.**
Artificial satellites can eventually lose altitude due to atmospheric drag or other factors, leading them to re-enter the atmosphere where they may burn up.
**Their orbit decays and they burn up as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere.**
Artificial satellites can eventually lose altitude due to atmospheric drag or other factors, leading them to re-enter the atmosphere where they may burn up.