2007-09-30 16:37:32 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
no they are not weightless. they are being pulled into the earth but because they are flying tangential to the earth at a fast enough speed the gravity only servers to change their direction and result in an orbit. if they were weightless they would have no acceleration to earth and would either fly off in a straight line or remain exactly at rest.
2007-09-30 16:43:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The astronauts are weightless, but not massless.
Mass is an inherent property of matter, and is what gives objects inertia (resistance to change in velocity).
Weight, however, only exists when there is both an acceleration/gravitational field, AND an object you're being forced against. For example, when you're standing on Earth, you do not feel your own weight merely because Earth has a gravitational field. You feel your own weight because the Earth has a gravitational field AND the ground is pushing back on your feet.
When an astronaut is orbiting Earth, they are in continuous freefall. Gravity pulls almost as hard on them as it does on someone standing on the ground. The difference is that they are continuously falling towards the Earth, but they're moving sideways so fast that they continually 'miss' the Earth. There is nothing pushing back on them, so they feel no sense of weight.
The person on the ground is not falling (because the ground supports them), hence they feel their weight.
2007-09-30 23:52:45 · answer #2 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup.
You are aware, I'm sure, that weight an mass are different.
Weight is measured by stepping on a scale. If an astronaut were to step on a scale (he or she can't because they're weightless - they can't step on anything) the scale would register nothing.
2007-09-30 23:51:39 · answer #3 · answered by Craig L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope.. If they are in orbit, the gravity of earth still has an effect on them. Their weight is just relatively small but if they stay longer in orbit they will eventually be pulled back to earth. That is why space stations still need thrusters in order to bring them back to the right position of the orbit because the earth is pulling them little by little.
2007-09-30 23:55:30 · answer #4 · answered by jerriel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if they are in a space station that rotates around the earth, then yes. by the way the word is orbit, an obit is a death notice.
2007-09-30 23:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by actofmurder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not exactly weightless, gravity still have an effect on the space shuttle while in space.
2007-09-30 23:43:19 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Suave 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ACTUALY, the answer is NO.....astronausts do have some gravity in she shuttle, but it's VERY low...therfore, it SEEMS weightless, but they do have some weight
2007-10-01 07:23:24 · answer #7 · answered by Crazygirl ♥ aka GT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they are weightless but remember they are not massless
2007-09-30 23:41:31 · answer #8 · answered by originalquene 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if they were to stand on a scale the scale would pulsate with their blood pressure to 14.7 .....the weight of gravity....
2007-09-30 23:41:05 · answer #9 · answered by Oldmansea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are. They have mass but not weight!
2007-09-30 23:40:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋