A NASA probe is moving horizontally above the surface of the moon at a constant speed to the right, as depicted in the diagram below. It releases an instrument package when it is directly above Point P. As seen from the lunar surface, which path would the package likely follow after the release and why?
B, because the gravity of the moon will pull the instrument to the ground with constant acceleration and the lack of an atmosphere allows the package to fall straight down
D, because the gravity of the moon will pull the instrument to the ground with constant acceleration so that its vertical velocity increases as it falls, while the horizontal component of the velocity remains constant
C, because the reduced gravity of the moon pulls the package down vertically at a constant speed while the package travels horizontally at a constant speed resulting in a straight-line trajectory to the lunar surface.
A, because the gravity of the moon pulls the package down with constant acceleration, while the atmosphere of the moon creates horizontal drag on the package which reduces the horizontal component of the package’s velocity causing the package to be pulled backward as it falls