The figure shows the moon orbiting around Earth. Suppose that the force of gravity between Earth and moon suddenly "switched off." Which of the three arrows point in the direction that the moon would move after gravity vanished?
A) arrow A
B) arrow B
C) arrow C
D) None of them, because the moon's velocity would be zero if the gravitational force vanished.
E) None of them, because the correct direction is a combination of two of the directions shown in the diagram.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The moon would continue moving in the direction of its velocity at the moment gravity vanished, which is tangent to its orbit. Arrow A represents this tangential direction.

The Figure Shows the Moon Orbiting Around Earth