Question

An astronaut stands on the inner surface of the outer wall of a rotating space station which has a radius R of 1000 metres. The space station rotates such that the astronaut experiences artificial gravity of 10 m/s2.

(a) Sketch and describe the forces acting on the astronaut according to the astronaut.

(b) Sketch and describe the forces acting on the astronaut according to an inertial observer.

(c) How long does it take the space station to complete one rotation?

(d) The astronaut faces in the direction of the rotation and throws a ball straight up at an initial speed of v0. What are the forces acting on the ball just after it leaves the astronaut’s hand, according to the astronaut?

(e) Describe how these forces will change as the ball moves away from the astronaut.

(f) Sketch and describe the motion of the ball as seen by the astronaut.

(g) Sketch and describe the motion of the ball as seen by an inertial observer.

Answer 1