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

Ball A will be pull back to earth, because gravity will be acting on ball B stronger then Ball A and since they are connected ball B will drag A down

To put simply it a game of tug of war with Ball A just standing there with Ball B and earth pulling on the rope.

Edit: grammar