39.9k views
0 votes
An astronaut is said to be weightless when he/she travels in a satellite.Does it mean that the earth doesnot attract him/her?​

User Kilo
by
5.4k points

2 Answers

6 votes

Answer:

At any distance from the earth, the gravitational force pulls you towards the earth.

Step-by-step explanation:

If this force were to disappear over long distances, the satellites and the moon would have to go out of orbit. In fact, astronauts feel weightless because of the zero radial velocity and low gravitational force.

User Agenis
by
4.8k points
7 votes
ANSWER:
Earth-orbiting astronauts are weightless for the same reasons that riders of a free-falling amusement park ride or a free-falling elevator are weightless. They are weightless because there is no external contact force pushing or pulling upon their body. In each case, gravity is the only force acting upon their body.Thus,the gravitational force of earth is attracting them.

HOPE IT HELPS!!!!!
User PhD AP EcE
by
5.4k points