An astronaut inside an Earth-orbiting satellite experiences what is commonly called…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics
Problem
An astronaut inside an Earth-orbiting satellite experiences what is commonly called “weightlessness.”
(a) State the condition that a frame of reference must satisfy in order to be considered inertial.
(b) Explain the apparent weightlessness of the astronaut from the viewpoint of (i) an observer on the Earth and (ii) the astronaut inside the satellite, clearly indicating any additional forces that need to be considered in the explanation.
(c) At the orbital height of the satellite, the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration is 8.7ms−2. Explain how Newton’s first law is satisfied in the astronaut’s frame even though this gravitational pull acts on every object inside the cabin.