If the value of the universal gravitational constant G starts decreasing very slowly with time, what will be the effect on the motion of the moon around the earth ? Explain clearly .

If the value of the universal gravitational constant G starts decreasi

1.	If the value of the universal gravitational constant G starts decreasing very slowly with time, what will be the effect on the motion of the moon around the earth ? Explain clearly .
Answer» Solution :Let the earth be at O and the moon, while REVOLVING around the earth , reach the pointA [Fig.1.24]. When the value of G remains unchanged, the moon will CONTINUE its motion ALONG path AB , that is to say its orbit will remain unchanged. On the other hand, if suddenly the valueof G falls to zero , the earth will have no attraction on the moon and the moon will fly off along AC, TANGENTIAL to the orbit . if the value of G decreases slowly with time , the path of the moon will be towardsAD,i.e., along some direction between AB and AC . Asa result , the moon will gradually move away from the earth and will take a spiral path as shown in the