Why is it weightless in space?

Why is it weightless in space?

Earth-orbiting astronauts are weightless for the same reasons that riders of a free-falling amusement park ride or a free-falling elevator are weightless. They are weightless because there is no external contact force pushing or pulling upon their body. In each case, gravity is the only force acting upon their body.

Can the weight of an object be zero in space?

Weight can be zero when acceleration due to gravity is zero. The value of ‘g’ is maximum on the surface of the Earth and decreases on going inside the surface or above the surface of the Earth.

Is everything completely weightless in space?

In space, astronauts and their spaceship still have mass and are still acted upon by Earth’s gravity. In this sense, they still have weight, even though Earth’s gravitational force is smaller in orbit than it is on Earth’s surface (Box 1). However, they do not feel their weight because nothing is pushing back on them.

Why is it incorrect to say that astronauts are weightless in space while orbiting Earth in a space shuttle?

Why is it incorrect to say the Astronauts are weight-less in space while orbiting Earth in space in a space shuttle? A: It is correct to say they are weightless. A gravitational field doesn’t by itself make any of the effects of weight.

Do astronauts lose weight in space?

Astronauts quickly lose weight in space and return to Earth a little slimmer than when they left, scientists said Thursday in releasing findings from NASA’s most elaborate medical research mission. The weight loss is one of a number of rapid body changes observed during the flight.

Why would an object with 0 kg in an empty space?

Mass of the object is same everywhere in universe but the value of g can be 0 that is in space where no gravitational force actimg on body by any other body. So weight can be zero.

Is there really zero gravity?

Contrary to popular belief, there’s no such thing as zero gravity. The earth’s gravity keeps the moon in orbit. And astronauts are generally much closer to earth than the moon is, which means that the earth’s pull on them has to be much stronger.

Do astronauts really forget about gravity?

The video was staged, but it showcased a very real circumstance: in the days after returning to Earth, astronauts tend to forget about gravity. According to Air & Space Magazine: In 1998, astronaut Joe Edwards spent about a week in orbit as the pilot on a space shuttle mission.

Why is it incorrect to say that astronauts are weightless in space while orbiting Earth in a space shuttle quizlet?

The statement is wrong. First, gravity is the centripetal force that keeps the astronauts and their spacecraft in orbit around the Earth, so the astronauts aren’t beyond gravity’s influence.

Why are astronauts weightless in space quizlet?

Terms in this set (38) Why are astronauts weightless in the space station? because they are in a constant state of free fall around the Earth. An object remains in motion at constant velocity, or remains at rest, unless acted upon by a net force.

Why don’t we weigh anything in space?

There is a simple answer to your question: we don’t, because in space where there is no gravity objects weigh nothing! We have to be careful about definitions. The weight of an object is a force.

What is the weight of an object in space?

The weight of an object is a force. It is the force with which a body is attracted toward Earth or another celestial body. This means that when you are in space, away from Earth, objects do not weight anything since they do not feel gravitational attraction to the Earth.

Why do objects and astronauts in spacecraft appear weightless?

When asked why objects and astronauts in spacecraft appear weightless, many people give these answers: 1 There is no gravity in space and they do not weigh anything. 2 Space is a vacuum and there is no gravity in a vacuum. 3 The astronauts are too far away from Earth’s surface to be subject to its gravitational pull. More

How can an object have mass but be weightless?

On the Earth, your weight comes from the ground pushing up against gravity. So if you wanted an object that has mass, but is weightless, all you have to do is jump. Once you leave the surface, there is nothing pushing up against gravity, and you have zero weight.

author

Back to Top