QUESTION 4 a) An experiment devised to simulate the sensation of weightlessness

Question

QUESTION 4 a) An experiment devised to simulate the sensation of weightlessness for a person with mass Ml and weight W while walking statonary on a treadmill is shown in Figure 4-1. The researcher wishes to model TWO SEPARATE mechanical-electrical analogy systems from it. The upper weightless effect system relies on friction-free pulleys that serve to adjust the upwards and downwards movement of the hamess through springs kl and k2, and damper bl. Despite not moving horizontally, the person provides a motive force F to translate the belt on the lower treadmill system. The belt is considered weightless but its movement is affected by a flywheel M2 and dry fiction b2. Create a tabulation of the analogous mechanical and electrical elements& flows, and find the analogous electrical circuit for the weightless effect system. Create a tabulation of the analogous mechanical and electrical elements& flows, and find the analogous electrical circuit for the treadmill system. i. ii. (12 MARKS) ant k2 k1 harness b1 v1 M1 person M2 treadmill b2 Figure 4-1

Explanation / Answer

They use a jet aeroplane where all the seats have been removed, and the cabin has been padded. Inside the padded cabin, there are "traffic lights" to alert the participants.

To create 30 seconds of weightlessness, the aeroplane goes into a steep climb momentarily, and then levels out suddenly - which creates the initial zero gravity, and maintains it by going into a dive - where it descends several thousand feet. Just before it reaches the bottom of the curve, the lights in the cabin flash a certain colour to warn the participants to hold on to something as levelling out at the bottom creates high gravity.

On a training run, the aeroplane normally does this manoeuvre 25 times. The first few dives are fun for the participants, but it does get nauseating after a while. Hence, why the aeroplane gets nicknamed the "vomit comet"

    

They use a plane nicknamed "The Vomit Comet" it climbs to a certain altitude then dives toward the earth. Since the plane is traveling at the same speed you would be falling due to gravity they cancel each other out and you are weightless. The plane makes a series of these up and down moves simulating zero gravity and partial gravity depending on the rate of decent. You can even pay to take a ride on one of these planes. The price ain't cheap and zero gravity is only for about 30 seconds at a time.

the "Vomit Comet" is a plane that is designed to fly in a wave like path. When it enters the steep dive the passengers experience weightlessness because they are accelerating at about -9.8m/s^2.

- pools - NASA uses them for two reasons. 1 experiencing near nutral boyancy is like weightlessness. 2. familiarize/test new tools in a weightless environment. (try using a power screwdriver in space.)

- turbofans - used to train parachutists. Not really weightless, but there is a balance of forces that suspends you in the air.

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