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Chapter 4: Q23CQ (page 160)

To simulate the apparent weightlessness of space orbit, astronauts are trained in the hold of a cargo aircraft that is accelerating downward at g. Why will they appear to be weightless, as measured by standing on a bathroom scale, in this accelerated frame of reference? Is there any difference between their apparent weightlessness in orbit and in the aircraft?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The astronauts appear weightless as the scale is also in the same frame of reference.

There is no difference between the apparent weightlessness of the astronauts in orbit versus that in the aircraft.

Step by step solution

01

Reason for astronauts appearing to be weightless

The astronauts appear weightless in the accelerated frame of reference, moving downward with the acceleration of the value of g (acceleration due to gravity). The scale is also in the same frame of reference, experiencing downward acceleration.

02

Difference between apparent weightlessness in orbit and in aircraft

There is no difference between the apparent weightlessness of the astronauts in orbit versus that in the aircraft.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A large rocket has a mass of 2.00×106 kg at takeoff, and its engines produce a thrust of 3.50×107 N.

(a) Find its initial acceleration if it takes off vertically.

(b) How long does it take to reach a velocity of 120 km/h straight up, assuming constant mass and thrust?

(c) In reality, the mass of a rocket decreases significantly as its fuel is consumed. Describe qualitatively how this affects the acceleration and time for this motion.

Consider the baby being weighed in Figure 4.34.

(a) What is the mass of the child and basket if a scale reading of 55 N is observed?

(b) What is the tension T1 in the cord attaching the baby to the scale?

(c) What is the tension T2 in the cord attaching the scale to the ceiling, if the scale has a mass of 0.500 kg?

(d) Draw a sketch of the situation indicating the system of interest used to solve each part. The masses of the cords are negligible.

A brave but inadequate rugby player is being pushed backward by an opposing player who is exerting a force of 800 N on him. The mass of the losing player plus equipment is 90.0 kg, and he is accelerating at 1.20 m/s2 backward. (a) What is the force of friction between the losing player’s feet and the grass? (b) What force does the winning player exert on the ground to move forward if his mass plus equipment is 110 kg?

(c) Draw a sketch of the situation showing the system of interest used to solve each part. For this situation, draw a free-body diagram and write the net force equation.

In a traction setup for a broken bone, with pulleys and rope available, how might we be able to increase the force along the femur using the same weight? (See Figure 4.30.) (Note that the femur is the shin bone shown in this image.

(a) What is the final velocity of a car originally traveling at 50.0 km/h that decelerates at a rate of 0.400 m/s2 for 50.0 s?

(b) What is unreasonable about the result?

(c) Which premise is unreasonable, or which premises are inconsistent?
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