Chapter 16, Problem 31A

An astronaut is provided 'gravity' when the ship’s engines are activated to accelerate the ship. This requires the use of fuel. Is there a way to accelerate and provide 'gravity' without the sustained use of fuel? (Hint: Recall simulated gravity in Chapter 12.)

To determine

To Explain: Whether there is any way to provide the gravitational effect to the astronaut in a ship’s engine without using the fuel to accelerate the ship.

Answer to Problem 31A

Yes, by spinning the ship, gravity is induced in the ship.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction: The centripetal force on a rotating object can induce a gravitational effect.

Without using the fuel to power ON the engine and provide gravity to the astronaut, there is another way to provide gravity to the astronaut. When a ship starts rotating then due to the spinning effect and the centripetal force of the ship, stimulated gravity is produced on the ship. This way astronaut feels the gravity without fuel.

Conclusion: The centripetal force on the spinning ship can induce gravity inside the ship.