Question

an astronaut wants to throw a heavy wrench to astronaut who is just ahead of him in the same circular orbit. what will happen to the wrench when he tries to throw it forward

Answer 1

When the astronaut throws the wrench forward in orbit, it would still be affected by gravitational forces and follow a different orbital path, likely moving to a higher orbit and not reaching the intended recipient directly.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an astronaut in the same circular orbit tries to throw a heavy wrench forward to another astronaut, the wrench will initially move in the direction of the throw. However, because the wrench is still under the influence of the same gravitational forces that keep it in orbit, it will continue following a separate orbital path. Depending on the speed and direction of the throw, this new path might be an elongated orbit which could intersect with the second astronaut's path, or more likely, due to the increased velocity from the throw, the wrench would enter a higher orbit and would not reach the intended recipient directly.