Question

An astronaut weighs 125 lbs on the surface of the Earth. What would she weigh in lbs if she is resting in the space shuttle that is in a stable orbit 200 miles above the surface of the Earth.

Answer 1

weight of astronaut
`F_2 = 113.38 lb`

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data:

astronaut weight is = 125 lbs

distance of shuttle from surface of earth is 200 mils

we know that
`F = G (m_1 m_2)/(r^2)`

where G, m_1, m_2 are constant value, so we have

`(F_1)/(F_2) = (r_2^2)/(r_1^2)`

radius of earth is 4000 miles

where r_2 = 4000 + 200 = 4200 miles

`(125)/(F_2) = (4200^2)/(4000^2)`

`F_2 = 113.38 lb`