Question

Assumptions for following two problems: 1) Space is almost vacuum, so almost no air. 2) Orbits are circular instead of elliptical.
You might find following information useful. Mass of Earth: 5.972 × 1024 kg Mass of Mangalyaan: 1,337.2 kg Radius of earth: 6,378 km Apogee: the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is furthest from the earth.

1. If you are visiting international space station, which orbits about 350 km above the earth. While you are inside the space station, you are in free fall along with everything else in the space station. a) Draw the free body diagram of all the forces acting on you. b) What is the net force? c) Write down the equation to calculate the force of attraction between you and earth. d) How are the two forces (the net force and the force of attraction) related to each other? e) Calculate the acceleration of free fall in m/s2. Is it less than, equal to or greater than g?

Answer 1