When a man circles round the earth in a satellite, then:
Correct answer: B. His mass remains constant but weight becomes zero
- A. His mass becomes zero but weight remains constant
- B. His mass remains constant but weight becomes zero
- C. Both mass and weight remain constant
- D. Both mass and weight become zero
Explanation
B is more accurate. The person's mass remains constant because it is an intrinsic property, but their weight is effectively zero or significantly reduced. In orbit, the gravitational force acting on the person is balanced by the centripetal force required for orbital motion, creating a state of continuous free fall and weightlessness.
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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.
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