Question

An astronaut sitting on the launch pad on Earth's surface is 6,400 kilometers from Earth's center and weighs 400 newtons. Calculate her weight when she reaches an altitude of 6,400 kilometers above the surface of Earth.

Answer 1

weight at height = 100 N .

Step-by-step explanation:

The problem relates to variation of weight due to change in height .

Let g₀ and g₁ be acceleration due to gravity , m is mass of the object .

At the surface :

Applying Newton's law of gravitation

mg₀ = G Mm / R²

At height h from centre

mg₁ = G Mm /h²

Given mg₀ = 400 N

400 = G Mm / R²

400 = G Mm / (6400 x 10³ )²

G Mm = 400 x (6400 x 10³ )²

At height h from centre

mg₁ = 400 x (6400 x 10³ )²/ ( 2 x 6400 x 10³)²

= 400 / 4

= 100 N .

weight at height = 100 N