Questions
ASTR-1-45046-F25 Lecture: Orbits
Single choice
If you drop something off the Empire State Building, why doesn't it orbit the Earth?
Options
A.Only rockets can orbit the Earth
B.Gravity at the building is too strong to allow orbits
C.The building is stationary on the ground
D.The building is not in space
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Verified Answer
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Step-by-Step Analysis
When evaluating why dropping something from the Empire State Building does not result in an orbit, we should examine each statement and test it against what we know about orbital motion and gravity.
Option 1: 'The building is not in space' — This is the most directly relevant reason. Orbiting the Earth requires an object to be moving at a sufficient horizontal (t horizontal) velocity while being at a relatively low air resistance altitude. The Empire State Building is far from space; it si......Login to view full explanationLog in for full answers
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