Question

An astronaut weighs 125 lbs on the surface of the Earth. What would she weigh in lbs if she is resting in the space shuttle that is in a stable orbit 200 miles above the surface of the Earth.

Answer 1

Answer:

weight of astronaut  $F_2 = 113.38 lb$

Explanation:

Given data:

astronaut weight is = 125 lbs

distance of shuttle from  surface of earth is 200 mils

we know that $F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$

where G, m_1, m_2 are constant value, so we have

$\frac{F_1}{F_2} = \frac{r_2^2}{r_1^2}$

radius of earth is 4000 miles

where r_2 = 4000 + 200 = 4200 miles

$\frac{125}{F_2} = \frac{4200^2}{4000^2}$

$F_2 = 113.38 lb$