Explain why an astronaut in an orbiting satellite has a feeling of weightlessness.
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first of all, understand what is weightlessness ?
actually, weightlessness is the complete or tends to complete { nearly complete} absence of the sensation of weight. it is also known as zero gravity. occurs in absence of any type of contact force acting upon object.
now, come to the question, when astronaut is in an orbiting satellite, then astronaut and satellite are attracted towards the centre of the earth and both will fall towards the centre with the same acceleration. this acceleration is same as 'g' at satellite. Thus, the astronaut is unable to exert weight on the floor of the satellite. due to this, the satellite doesn't provide normal reaction on the astronaut and hence astronaut feels weightlessness.
actually, weightlessness is the complete or tends to complete { nearly complete} absence of the sensation of weight. it is also known as zero gravity. occurs in absence of any type of contact force acting upon object.
now, come to the question, when astronaut is in an orbiting satellite, then astronaut and satellite are attracted towards the centre of the earth and both will fall towards the centre with the same acceleration. this acceleration is same as 'g' at satellite. Thus, the astronaut is unable to exert weight on the floor of the satellite. due to this, the satellite doesn't provide normal reaction on the astronaut and hence astronaut feels weightlessness.
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