Question

Discuss the weightlessness experienced by an
astronaut in an orbiting satellite​

Answer 1

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The weight of a body is defined as the gravitational force exerted on the body by th Earth. It is directed towards the centre of the Earth.

When the astronaut is on the surface of the Earth, his weight acts vertically downward. At the same time, the surface of the Earth exerts a force of reaction which is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the weight of the astronaut. It is due to this reaction that the astronaut feels his weight.

When the astronaut is in a spaceship orbiting around the Earth, he feels weightless although the gravitational force acting on the astronaut is not zero. The spaceship is an accelerated frame of reference.

The spaceship as well as the astronaut are attracted towards the centre of the Earth. They have the same centripetal acceleration, equal to the acceleration due to gravity at that height. Therefore, the astronaut cannot produce any action on the floor of the spaceship. The floor also does not exert a force of reaction on the astronaut. In the absence of the reaction, the astronaut feels weightless.

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:

Astronauts orbiting the Earth in a spacecraft feel weightless because nothing is stopping their fall due to the force of gravity. On Earth we feel weight. ... Since the astronaut and the spacecraft are both falling and nothing is holding them up against the pull of gravity, they are both in free-fall and feel weightless.