Question
Question: State whether true or false: The moon is the only natural satellite of the earth. A) True B) ...
State whether true or false:
The moon is the only natural satellite of the earth.
A) True
B) False
Solution
Satellites are objects that revolve around other larger objects in space. There are two types of satellites: artificial and natural satellites. The moon is a natural body in space and it orbits around the earth.
Complete step-by-step solution
A satellite is a body that revolves around another body in a path called the orbit. The earth is a satellite of the sun because it moves around the sun and the moon is a satellite of earth because it moves around the earth. There are two different types of satellites: man-made and natural satellites.
Satellites that are put into orbit by man are called artificial satellites. Communication satellites, navigation satellites (GPS), scientific satellites (Terriers), military satellites (MILSTAR), etc are some examples of artificial satellites. These satellites orbit around the earth and are controlled by humans.
A natural satellite is any astronomical body in space that orbits a planet or mirror planet. The moon is a natural satellite of our Earth. Since the earth rotates around the sun; it is called the natural satellite of the Earth. The Moon’s presence helps to stabilize our climate.
Therefore, the moon is the only natural satellite of the earth.
Answer is option A, true.
Note: A satellite orbits Earth when its speed is balanced by earth’s gravitational pull. Even if satellites are far away, Earth's gravity still tugs on them. Without balance, the satellite would either fly in a straight line off into space or fall back to Earth.