Question

1. explain why satellites dont fall to earth even though earths gravity pulls on them. 1

Explanation:

Satellites have a horizontal (tangential) velocity. Earth's gravity provides the centripetal force that keeps them in orbit by continuously changing the direction of their velocity, causing them to fall around the Earth (follow a curved path) rather than falling straight down to the surface. The satellite's forward motion and the gravitational pull towards Earth balance in a way that maintains the orbital path.

Answer:

Satellites move horizontally (have tangential velocity), and Earth’s gravity acts as centripetal force to curve their path around Earth (so they “fall around” Earth, not onto it), maintaining their orbit.