Question

A space station has a mass M and orbits Earth in a circular orbit at a height above Earth’s surface. An astronaut in the space station appears weightless because the astronaut seems to float. Which of the following claims is true about the force exerted on the astronaut by Earth ?
A) there is no force exerted on the astronaut by Earth because the astronaut is 400km above Earth’s surface

B) the force exerted on the astronaut by Earth is less than the force exerted by the astronaut because the astronaut is 400km above Earths surface

C) the force exerted on the astronaut by Earth is equal to the gravitational force of the space station that is exerted on the astronaut; the two equal forces balance to cause the astronaut to float.

D) the force exerted on the astronaut by Earth is equal to the force exerted on Earth by the astronaut

Please help me with this question if you can ! It would be very much appreciated . Thank you

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is;

D) The force exerted on the astronaut by Earth is equal to the force exerted on Earth by the astronaut

Explanation:

According to Newton's third law of motion, in nature, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, such that if a first object exerts a certain amount of force on a second object, the second object will exert a force of equal magnitude and opposite direction to that exerted by the first object

Therefore, the gravitational force exerted by Earth on the astronaut, is equal to the force exerted by the astronaut on Earth.