- #1
fluidistic
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Is it possible to put in circular orbit an object from Earth's ground? My friend said yes and told me we were going to see how exactly in 2 years when we'll learn about a more formal mechanics.
But I've thought about it and I believe it's impossible. My thought is that the satellite will describe a spiral and not a circle. My friend says it will describe a spiral and then a circle... but how could that be? If it describes a spiral then it will always have some velocity in a direction that is not parallel to Earth's ground, so the circular motion is not possible. At best it could be very very close to it, but still it will never be a perfect circular path. (Unless the satellite has a little reactor, but we suppose it hasn't).
So who is wrong and why?
Thanks.
But I've thought about it and I believe it's impossible. My thought is that the satellite will describe a spiral and not a circle. My friend says it will describe a spiral and then a circle... but how could that be? If it describes a spiral then it will always have some velocity in a direction that is not parallel to Earth's ground, so the circular motion is not possible. At best it could be very very close to it, but still it will never be a perfect circular path. (Unless the satellite has a little reactor, but we suppose it hasn't).
So who is wrong and why?
Thanks.