Question

1. so if the mass of an orbiting object or center object decreases, what could be changed to balance the orbit? (select the 2 that would balance it)

□ increase distance
□ decrease distance
□ increase orbital velocity
□ decrease orbital velocity

1. so if the distance of an orbiting object or center object increases, what could be changed to balance the orbit? (select the 2 that would balance it)

Explanation:

Step1: Recall gravitational - orbital relationship

The gravitational force $F = G\frac{Mm}{r^{2}}$ provides the centripetal force $F_c=\frac{mv^{2}}{r}$ for an orbiting object, where $G$ is the gravitational constant, $M$ is the mass of the center - object, $m$ is the mass of the orbiting object, $r$ is the distance between them, and $v$ is the orbital velocity. When the mass of the orbiting or center object decreases, from $F = F_c$, we can analyze the changes.

Step2: Analyze distance change

If we increase the distance $r$, the gravitational force $F = G\frac{Mm}{r^{2}}$ decreases. To keep the balance of the orbit (i.e., $F = F_c$), this can compensate for the decrease in mass.

Step3: Analyze orbital - velocity change

If we decrease the orbital velocity $v$, the centripetal force $F_c=\frac{mv^{2}}{r}$ decreases. This can also balance the decrease in the gravitational force due to the decrease in mass.

Answer:

Increase distance, Decrease orbital velocity