If two identical balls are connected to the same very long rope, and one of the balls are floating in space and the other one is hanging above earth’s surface. What would happen?

Question

So my 7-year old asked me this and as much as I would love to be able to give him a proper answer, I couldn’t.

Does ball A (in space) float away, taking ball B (above earth’s surface) with it? Will the balls stay somewhat fixed or will ball B force ball A down?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Well to stay in space you would have to be in orbit and I could imagine because ball A is several times faster than a bullet to do that and ball B being completly still, the rope would just rip. If it was undbreakable though ball A would just pull it with it slowing itself and ball B down because of air resistance. Eventually there would just be an obstacle like a mountain which would bring both to a stop. That’s atleast what I would think that would happen