An object in the vacuum of space orbits the earth at a fixed speed in a circular orbit several

hundred miles above the earth. What can we conclude about the reaction force?
a) That there is no reaction force-the net force on the object is zero, so the reaction
force is zero too.
b) The reaction force is a force that acts on the earth directed upward toward the object.
c) There is no reaction force- there’s a net force on the object, but zero reaction force because the
object is out in space.
d) The reaction force is a normal force that acts upward from the Earth’s surface.

1 answer

The reaction force is equal and opposite to the weight force that acts on the object. That is what Newton's third law would say about the reaction force. Now, make your selection.