Question

Minimal orbit speed about Earth is about 8 km/s. Minimal orbital speed about Moon would be (less, more than, or about ) 8 km/s

Answer 1

Minimal orbit speed about Earth is about 8 km/s. Minimal orbital speed about Moon would be Less than 8 km/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The minimal orbital speed required to maintain an orbit around an astronomical body decreases as the body's mass decreases. The Moon has significantly less mass than Earth, resulting in weaker gravitational pull. Therefore, the minimal orbital speed needed to orbit the Moon is less than the 8 km/s required for Earth.

The formula to calculate orbital speed is
`\( V = \sqrt{(GM)/(r)} \), where \( V \) is the orbital speed, \( G \) is the gravitational constant, \( M \) is the mass of the celestial body being orbited, and \( r \)`is the distance from the center of the body. As the Moon has less mass compared to Earth, the required orbital speed around the Moon is lower.

Orbital speed is crucial in determining an object's ability to remain in orbit around a celestial body without falling back or drifting away. The lower mass of the Moon results in a weaker gravitational force, allowing objects to maintain an orbit at a speed lower than that required to orbit Earth.