It is often said that astronauts in orbit experience weightlessness because they are beyond the pull of Earth’s gravity. Is this statement correct? Explain.

Question

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Answer 1

Textbook Question

Chapter 12, Problem 1CQ

It is often said that astronauts in orbit experience weightlessness because they are beyond the pull of Earth’s gravity. Is this statement correct? Explain.

Expert Solution & Answer

To determine

Whether the given statement is correct or not.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

No, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Explanation of Solution

The astronaut in the orbit around the earth is under two forces that are gravitational force and centrifugal force. The gravitational force acts on the astronaut is due to the earth’s gravitational pull.

Due to the tangential velocity of the astronaut in orbit, the acceleration is in direction away from the earth. The centrifugal force due to this acceleration is also in direction away from the earth. Thus the astronaut in the orbit feels weightless because the centripetal force applied on the astronauts by earth’s gravitational force is balanced by the centrifugal force due to orbital velocity of the satellite.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

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Answer 2

Textbook Question

Chapter 12, Problem 1CQ

It is often said that astronauts in orbit experience weightlessness because they are beyond the pull of Earth’s gravity. Is this statement correct? Explain.

Expert Solution & Answer

To determine

Whether the given statement is correct or not.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

No, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Explanation of Solution

The astronaut in the orbit around the earth is under two forces that are gravitational force and centrifugal force. The gravitational force acts on the astronaut is due to the earth’s gravitational pull.

Due to the tangential velocity of the astronaut in orbit, the acceleration is in direction away from the earth. The centrifugal force due to this acceleration is also in direction away from the earth. Thus the astronaut in the orbit feels weightless because the centripetal force applied on the astronauts by earth’s gravitational force is balanced by the centrifugal force due to orbital velocity of the satellite.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

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01:08

Answer 3

Textbook Question

Chapter 12, Problem 1CQ

It is often said that astronauts in orbit experience weightlessness because they are beyond the pull of Earth’s gravity. Is this statement correct? Explain.

Expert Solution & Answer

To determine

Whether the given statement is correct or not.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

No, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Explanation of Solution

The astronaut in the orbit around the earth is under two forces that are gravitational force and centrifugal force. The gravitational force acts on the astronaut is due to the earth’s gravitational pull.

Due to the tangential velocity of the astronaut in orbit, the acceleration is in direction away from the earth. The centrifugal force due to this acceleration is also in direction away from the earth. Thus the astronaut in the orbit feels weightless because the centripetal force applied on the astronauts by earth’s gravitational force is balanced by the centrifugal force due to orbital velocity of the satellite.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

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Answer 4

Textbook Question

Chapter 12, Problem 1CQ

It is often said that astronauts in orbit experience weightlessness because they are beyond the pull of Earth’s gravity. Is this statement correct? Explain.

Expert Solution & Answer

To determine

Whether the given statement is correct or not.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

No, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Explanation of Solution

The astronaut in the orbit around the earth is under two forces that are gravitational force and centrifugal force. The gravitational force acts on the astronaut is due to the earth’s gravitational pull.

Due to the tangential velocity of the astronaut in orbit, the acceleration is in direction away from the earth. The centrifugal force due to this acceleration is also in direction away from the earth. Thus the astronaut in the orbit feels weightless because the centripetal force applied on the astronauts by earth’s gravitational force is balanced by the centrifugal force due to orbital velocity of the satellite.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

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Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

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Answer 5

Textbook Question

Answer 6

Textbook Question

Answer 7

Expert Solution & Answer

To determine

Whether the given statement is correct or not.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

No, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Explanation of Solution

The astronaut in the orbit around the earth is under two forces that are gravitational force and centrifugal force. The gravitational force acts on the astronaut is due to the earth’s gravitational pull.

Due to the tangential velocity of the astronaut in orbit, the acceleration is in direction away from the earth. The centrifugal force due to this acceleration is also in direction away from the earth. Thus the astronaut in the orbit feels weightless because the centripetal force applied on the astronauts by earth’s gravitational force is balanced by the centrifugal force due to orbital velocity of the satellite.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Answer 8

Expert Solution & Answer

To determine

Whether the given statement is correct or not.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

No, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Explanation of Solution

The astronaut in the orbit around the earth is under two forces that are gravitational force and centrifugal force. The gravitational force acts on the astronaut is due to the earth’s gravitational pull.

Due to the tangential velocity of the astronaut in orbit, the acceleration is in direction away from the earth. The centrifugal force due to this acceleration is also in direction away from the earth. Thus the astronaut in the orbit feels weightless because the centripetal force applied on the astronauts by earth’s gravitational force is balanced by the centrifugal force due to orbital velocity of the satellite.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Answer 9

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 10

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 11

To determine

Whether the given statement is correct or not.

Answer 12

Answer to Problem 1CQ

No, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.

Answer 13

Explanation of Solution

The astronaut in the orbit around the earth is under two forces that are gravitational force and centrifugal force. The gravitational force acts on the astronaut is due to the earth’s gravitational pull.

Due to the tangential velocity of the astronaut in orbit, the acceleration is in direction away from the earth. The centrifugal force due to this acceleration is also in direction away from the earth. Thus the astronaut in the orbit feels weightless because the centripetal force applied on the astronauts by earth’s gravitational force is balanced by the centrifugal force due to orbital velocity of the satellite.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the force due to earth gravitational pull on an object is zero at infinite distance, the net force on the astronauts is zero.