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Chapter 12: Problem 4

A man inside a sturdy box is fired out of a cannon. Which of following statements regarding the weightless sensation for the man is correct? a) The man senses weightlessness only when he and the box are traveling upward. b) The man senses weightlessness only when he and the box are traveling downward. c) The man senses weightlessness when he and the box are traveling both upward and downward. d) The man does not sense weightlessness at any time of the flight.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The man senses weightlessness when he and the box are traveling both upward and downward.

Step by step solution

01

Option A: Weightlessness during upward motion

Let's consider the situation when the man and the box are traveling upward. The man will sense weightlessness when there is no contact force between him and the box, i.e., when the effective acceleration acting on his body is zero. In this case, the man will be in free-fall, and there won't be any contact force between him and the box. Therefore, the statement in option (a) is a possibility.
02

Option B: Weightlessness during downward motion

Now, let's analyze the situation when the man and the box are traveling downward. In this case, the acceleration due to gravity will act in the same direction as the motion. The man will still be in free-fall as the downward force and the acceleration due to gravity will be the same. Thus, the contact force between the man and the box will also be zero, contributing to a sensation of weightlessness. Hence, the statement in option (b) is also a possibility.
03

Option C: Weightlessness during both upward and downward motion

Since we have established that the man can sense weightlessness during both upward and downward motion, this statement considers both cases and is correct.
04

Option D: No weightlessness during any time of the flight

This statement contradicts our analysis, as we have determined that the man will sense weightlessness during both the upward and downward motion. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
05

Final Answer

Based on our analysis, the correct statement regarding the feeling of weightlessness for the man inside the sturdy box when fired out of a cannon is (c) The man senses weightlessness when he and the box are traveling both upward and downward.

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