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

Weightlessness in orbit occurs because the spacecraft and everything inside it are in a state of continuous free fall, meaning they are accelerating toward Earth at the same rate as gravity.

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