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  • The astronaut in the satellite orbiting the earth feel weightlessness. Does the weightlessness depends upon the distance of the satellite from the earth ?Option:

The astronaut in the satellite orbiting the earth feel weightlessness. Does the weightlessness depends upon the distance of the satellite from the earth ?

Option: 1

Yes
 


Option: 2

No


Option: 3

Yes, but for very less height from the earth’s surface

 


Option: 4

Can not say


Answers (1)

best_answer

As we learned

 

Weightlessness  in a Satellite.

The acceleration of the satellite is \frac{G M}{r^{2}} towards the centre of the earth.

Let us suppose a body of mass m placed on a surface inside the satellite moving around the earth.

Then force on the body are - 

\begin{array}{l}{\text { (i) The gravitational pull of earth }=\frac{G M m}{r^{2}}} \\ {\text { (ii) The reaction by the surface }=R} \\ {\text { By Newton's law } \frac{G m M}{r^{2}}-R=m a} \\ {\qquad \frac{G m M}{r^{2}}-R=m\left(\frac{G M}{r^{2}}\right) \quad \therefore \quad R=0}\end{array}

As the reaction becomes 0.

And from the Laws of motion, we know that the reaction on a body will give its weight.

So, the body will feel weightlessness in the satellite. 

-

So 

A satellite revolving in an orbit of any radius experiences weightlessness. It is because, when a satellite revolves in an orbit, Its weight is used up in providing the necessary centripetal force. Thus, the weightlessness does not depend on the distance of the satellite from the earth.

Posted by

manish

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