True and False Physics Question about Satellites?

[oceanblue]

Satellites in orbit are accelerated toward the earth, so they must be getting closer and closer to our planet.

Is this true or false and why?

 

[Mason]

Wrong. Don't wanna sound mean, but it just is wrong to assume that. They ARE technically "falling" toward earth, but their velocity (or inertia in the diagram in my source) moving perpendicular to the earth is combined with its "falling". This results in a compromise between the two directions, which is its orbit.

 

[tripforyou]

False. They are constantly accelerated towards the earth by gravity. They also have inertia which pushes away from the eath. In many cases they do get closer and closer, but it's not a guarantee. The moon, for example, is a natural satellite which is being accelerated towards earth but is getting further away. It's dependent on the orbit itself; much of the time it's a very thin atmosphere causing friction which ultimately decays the orbit.

Centrifugal force used to be the name for the outward push a satellite 'feels' but that name has fallen out of favor because 'centripetal' force sounds similar and is the inward force. Also centrifugal force technically isn't a force just a manifestation of inertia.