Satellites orbiting the earth have finite life and sometimes debris of satellites fall to the earth. This is because,

Options

A. the solar cells and batteries in satellites run out.
B. the laws of gravitation predict a trajectory spiralling inwards.
C. of viscous forces causing the speed of satellite and hence height to gradually decrease.
D. of collisions with other satellites.

Answer

C

Explanation

The viscous forces acting on the satellite decreases the energy of the satellite , the value of r decreases. Thus, height of satellite decreases. Also, orbital velocity of the satellite will decrease.
The correct option is (c ).