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AP Physics 1
6.6 Motion of Orbiting Satellites
2.6 Gravitational Force
2.5 Newton’s Second Law
2.2 Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
Multi-Unit
IntermediateMCQDrawing RepresentationsConceptual22.8k
Satellite in an elliptical orbit around Earth at position P.
Satellite in an elliptical orbit around Earth at position P.
A satellite travels in an elliptical orbit counterclockwise around Earth, which is located at one of the two foci of the ellipse. Point \(P\) represents the satellite's position as it moves from perigee (closest approach) toward apogee (farthest distance). Which of the following diagrams correctly represents the direction of the gravitational force \(\vec{F}_g\) exerted on the satellite by Earth and the direction of the satellite's instantaneous acceleration \(\vec{a}\) at point \(P\)?

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