As an astronaut in a spaceship is in orbit 2000 miles above the surface of the e
ID: 1417320 • Letter: A
Question
As an astronaut in a spaceship is in orbit 2000 miles above the surface of the earth, the astronaut experiences weightlessness because...
A. All of the forces on the astronaut sum up to equal zero net force]
B. the astronaut and the spaceship are in free fall so the floor of the spaceship does not press upward on the astronaut.
C. the force of gravity from the earth on the astronaut is cancelled out by the force of gravity from all of the other planets.
D. the force of the earth on the astronaut is equal an opposite to the force of the astronaut on the earth, effectively canceling out any force the astronaut might feel.
If you could, please go into further detail as to why whatever the particular is what it is.
Explanation / Answer
B. the astronaut and the spaceship are in free fall so the floor of the spaceship does not press upward on the astronaut
Weightlessness is simply a sensation experienced by an individual when there are no external objects touching one's body and exerting a push or pull upon it. Weightless sensations exist when all contact forces are removed. These sensations are common to any situation in which you are momentarily (or perpetually) in a state of free fall. When in free fall, the only force acting upon your body is the force of gravity - a non-contact force. Since the force of gravity cannot be felt without any other opposing forces, you would have no sensation of it. You would feel weightless when in a state of free fall
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