Multiple choice

The sensation of weightlessness in a spacecraft in an orbit is due to the _______.

  1. absence of gravity outside

  2. acceleration in the orbit which is equal to the acceleration due to gravity outside

  3. presence of gravity outside but not inside the spacecraft

  4. fact that spacecraft in the orbit has no energy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sensation of weightlessness occurs because the spacecraft and everything inside are in free fall - both are accelerating toward Earth at the same rate (equal to g). This creates a state of continuous free fall, where apparent weight becomes zero. There's still gravity in orbit; it's what keeps the spacecraft orbiting.

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