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Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsGravitation

A person seated in a chair inside a satellite experiences weightlessness because

Options

  1. Athe earth does not attract objects inside a satellite
  2. Bthe normal force is zero
  3. Cthe normal force exerted by the chair on the person balances the earth's attraction
  4. Dthe person in the satellite is unaccelerated

Correct answer

B. the normal force is zero

Step-by-step solution

A satellite orbiting the earth is in a state of continuous free fall towards the earth. Both the satellite and the person inside it experience the same centripetal acceleration a = g' , where g' is the acceleration due to gravity at that height. Let N be the normal force exerted by the chair on the person and m be the mass of the person. The equation of motion for the person is: mg' - N = ma Since the person is moving along with the satellite, a = g' . Substituting this in the equation, we get: mg' - N = mg' N = 0

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