Question

When a vehicle is passing through the atmosphere, at some point it may decelerate at a rate of 39.2m/s^2 (away from the center of Earth) while Earth's gravitational pull remains at -9.80m/s^2.
a)In such a situation, what is the apparent weight in gs of an astronaut inside the vehicle?
b)In this situation, is the astronaut in a microgravity situation?

Answer 1

Answer on Question #68306, Physics / Astronomy | Astrophysics

When a vehicle is passing through the atmosphere, at some point it may decelerate at a rate of $39.2\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}^2$ (away from the center of Earth) while Earth's gravitational pull remains at $-9.80\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}^2$ . a) In such a situation, what is the apparent weight in gs of an astronaut inside the vehicle?

b) In this situation, is the astronaut in a microgravity situation?

Solution

a)

$$a = 39.2 \, \mathrm{m/s^2} = 4g$$

From the second Newtons Law we have.

$$P - mg = ma.$$

Here $m$ is mass of astronaut.

The apparent weight is

$$P = m(g + a)$$

Apparent weight in gs is

$$\frac{P}{m} = (g + a) = g + 4g = 5g.$$

b) Microgravity is the condition in which people or objects appear to be weightless. Weight of astronaut is 5g. No!

Answer:

a) 5g

b) No.