A man inside an artificial satellite feels weightlessness because the ...
A man inside an artificial satellite feels weightlesness because the force of attraction due to earth i.e. g (= acceleration due to gravity) is zero.
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A man inside an artificial satellite feels weightlessness because the ...
The correct answer to the question is option A, which states that the man inside an artificial satellite feels weightlessness because the force of attraction due to Earth is zero. Let's understand why this is the case in detail.
Gravity is the force of attraction between two objects with mass. On Earth, we experience the force of gravity as our weight, which is the force with which the Earth pulls us towards its center. The weight of an object depends on its mass and the strength of the gravitational field it is in.
When an object is in freefall or orbit around a massive body like the Earth, it experiences a sensation of weightlessness. This is because the gravitational force acting on the object is balanced by another force, such as the force of inertia or the centripetal force.
In the case of an artificial satellite orbiting the Earth, it is constantly falling towards the Earth due to the force of gravity. However, it also has a tangential velocity that keeps it moving sideways fast enough so that it continuously falls around the Earth instead of crashing into it. This balance between the gravitational force pulling the satellite towards the Earth and the satellite's velocity keeping it in orbit creates a state of weightlessness for objects inside the satellite.
Now, let's analyze the options given in the question:
a) Zero: This is the correct answer. The man inside the artificial satellite feels weightlessness because the force of attraction due to Earth is zero. The gravitational force is balanced by the satellite's motion in orbit.
b) Balanced by the force of attraction due to the moon: This is incorrect. While the moon's gravitational force does have an effect on the satellite's orbit, it does not directly contribute to the feeling of weightlessness experienced by the man inside the satellite.
c) Equal to centripetal force: This is incorrect. The gravitational force acting on the satellite is not equal to the centripetal force. The gravitational force is responsible for keeping the satellite in orbit, while the centripetal force is a result of the satellite's motion in a curved path.
d) Non-effective due to the particular design of the satellite: This is incorrect. The feeling of weightlessness inside the satellite is not due to the design of the satellite but rather the balance between the gravitational force and the satellite's motion.
In conclusion, the man inside an artificial satellite feels weightlessness because the force of attraction due to Earth is zero, as the gravitational force is balanced by the satellite's motion in orbit.