A body in satellite orbiting round the earth is weightless because:
Correct answer: A. It is essentially a freely falling body
- A. It is essentially a freely falling body
- B. It is far away from the earth to experience the pull of the earth
- C. The moon attracts the body with a force equal to its weight
- D. None of the above
Explanation
A is the correct explanation. A body in orbit is essentially in free fall towards the Earth. The gravitational force from the Earth causes the body to accelerate, and if it has the right velocity, it will continuously fall around the Earth, creating an orbit. In this state of free fall, the gravitational force is balanced by the centripetal force required to keep it in orbit. This results in a continuous state of falling, creating a sensation of weightlessness for the body and everything inside it.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Gravitation
Newton’s law of universal gravitation relates the force between masses to their masses and separation, while gravitational field strength explains weight and orbital motion. The topic covers satellite velocity and period, escape ideas, weightlessness in free fall, and artificial gravity, which differs from ordinary gravitational attraction.
Practise Gravitation
265 free Gravitation MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Physics questions like this
Physics is on 11 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Gravitation questions
A satellite moves in the circle orbit at the constant speed under the action of the gravitational force of a planet. The work done on the satellite in one revolution will have magnitude:
A boy standing in a lift falling freely under gravity releases a ball from his hand. As seen by him the ball:
Free falling bodies:
Artificial gravity can be created in the space craft by:
When a man circles round the earth in a satellite, then:
A space ship is coming towards earth from moon at a high speed. The speed of the air ship has to be reduced. A rocket is fired to lower its speed in a certain direction. The rocket should be fired: