Question Detail

PHY 101 PHY 101 Past Questions Objective Question
Take CBT

Question

An astronaut in an orbiting satellite feels 'weightless' because:
Options
A There is no gravitational force acting on the astronaut.
B The gravitational force is balanced by a centrifugal force.
C The astronaut and the satellite are both in free fall towards Earth.
Correct Answer
D The astronaut is outside Earth's gravitational field.
Correct Answer

Option C is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

explains that apparent weightlessness occurs because the satellite (and everything in it) is constantly falling towards Earth. The floor of the satellite falls away at the same rate as the astronaut, so there is no normal reaction force, leading to the sensation of weightlessness. Gravity is still present.

Hint

This is the same feeling you get for a brief moment in a free-falling elevator.

Question Info

Course: PHY 101
Topic: PHY 101 Past Questions
Type: Objective
Difficulty: Not specified
Question 551 of 1250
Previous Course Details Next