Conceptual Physical Science Explorations
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9780321567918
Author: Paul G. Hewitt, Leslie A. Hewitt, John A Suchocki
Publisher: Addison Wesley
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Textbook Question
Chapter 7, Problem 4RAT
When an astronaut in orbit is weightless, he or she is
(a) beyond the pull of Earth's gravity.
(b) still in the grip of Earth's gravity.
(c) in the grip of interstellar gravity.
(d) None of these.
Expert Solution & Answer
To determine
The correct option for the statement "When an astronaut in orbit is weightless, he or she is".
Answer to Problem 4RAT
The correct option for the statement "When an astronaut in orbit is weightless, he or she is".is option (b).
Explanation of Solution
An astronaut in orbit feels weightless because no reaction force acts on him. The gravitational force exerted by the Earth is the only force acting on the astronaut.
Astronauts orbiting the Earth acts like a freely falling object accelerating towards the center of the Earth with the acceleration due to gravity. The centripetal acceleration required to keep them in orbit is provided by the gravitational acceleration. Hence, astronauts in orbit feel weightless.
Thus, when an astronaut in orbit feels weightless, he or she is still in the grip of gravity. Astronauts are always under the pull of Earth's gravity, even though by small amounts. The weightlessness of astronauts in orbit is not due to interstellar gravity.
Conclusion:
Therefore, The correct option for the statement "When an astronaut in orbit is weightless, he or she is".is option (b).
Chapter 7 Solutions
Conceptual Physical Science Explorations
Ch. 7 - What connection did Newton make between a falling...Ch. 7 - What does it mean to say something moving in a...Ch. 7 - In what sense does the Moon "fall?"Ch. 7 - State Newton's law of universal gravitation in...Ch. 7 - How does the force of gravity between two bodies...Ch. 7 - How does the thickness of paint sprayed on a...Ch. 7 - Prob. 7RQCh. 7 - What is the magnitude of gravitational force...Ch. 7 - What is the magnitude of the gravitational force...Ch. 7 - What do we call the gravitational force between...
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