When they were in operation, the space shuttles launched by NASA could accelerate up to 3g. This, however, occurred when the space shuttle was high enough that the effect of earth’s gravity would be significantly less. At just 20 s after launch, when the space shuttle is just barely over a kilometer above sea level, it is safe to assume the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s^2. At about this point in time the space shuttle is known to have an acceleration of about 18.62 m/s^2. What is the magnitude of the force provided by the space shuttle engines, if we assume this acceleration is straight up and the mass of the space shuttle is approximately 2 million kg?
Gravitational force
In nature, every object is attracted by every other object. This phenomenon is called gravity. The force associated with gravity is called gravitational force. The gravitational force is the weakest force that exists in nature. The gravitational force is always attractive.
Acceleration Due to Gravity
In fundamental physics, gravity or gravitational force is the universal attractive force acting between all the matters that exist or exhibit. It is the weakest known force. Therefore no internal changes in an object occurs due to this force. On the other hand, it has control over the trajectories of bodies in the solar system and in the universe due to its vast scope and universal action. The free fall of objects on Earth and the motions of celestial bodies, according to Newton, are both determined by the same force. It was Newton who put forward that the moon is held by a strong attractive force exerted by the Earth which makes it revolve in a straight line. He was sure that this force is similar to the downward force which Earth exerts on all the objects on it.
When they were in operation, the space shuttles launched by NASA could accelerate up to 3g. This, however, occurred when the space shuttle was high enough that the effect of earth’s gravity would be significantly less. At just 20 s after launch, when the space shuttle is just barely over a kilometer above sea level, it is safe to assume the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s^2. At about this point in time the space shuttle is known to have an acceleration of about 18.62 m/s^2. What is the magnitude of the force provided by the space shuttle engines, if we assume this acceleration is straight up and the mass of the space shuttle is approximately 2 million kg?
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