The International Space Station has a mass of 4.19 10 5 kg and orbits at a radiu

Question

The International Space Station has a mass of 4.19 105 kg and orbits at a radius of 6.79 106 m from the center of Earth. Find the gravitational force exerted by Earth on the space station, the space station's gravitational potential energy, and the weight of a 79.7 kg astronaut living inside the station.

(a)the gravitational force (in N) exerted by Earth on the space station (Enter the magnitude.)

N

(b)the space station's gravitational potential energy (in J)

J

(c)the weight (in N) of an 79.7 kg astronaut living inside the station

Explanation / Answer

(A) Gravitational force = G M m / r^2

= (6.67 x 10^-11)(5.97 x 10^24)(4.19 x 10^5) / (6.79 x 10^6)^2

= 3.62 x 10^6 N

(B) Gravitational PE= G M m / r

= 2.457 x 10^13 J

(a) g = G M / r^2 = 8.64 m/s^2

W = m g = 688.4 N

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