A satellite of the earth is revolving in a circular orbit with a uniform speed `v`. If the gravitational force suddenly disappears, the satellite will

Options

A. fall down with increasing velocity
B. ultimately come to rest somewhere on the original orbit
C. move with a velocity v, tangentially to the original orbit
D. continue to move with velocity v along the original orbit

Answer

D

Explanation

It will move with the same velocity along the original orbit due to inertia of direction.