What phenomenon creates the effect of weightlessness for an astronaut in orbit?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to identify the phenomenon that causes astronauts to experience weightlessness while in orbit. It involves understanding gravitational forces and motion in orbit.
Answer
Microgravity
The phenomenon that creates the effect of weightlessness for an astronaut in orbit is called microgravity.
Answer for screen readers
The phenomenon that creates the effect of weightlessness for an astronaut in orbit is called microgravity.
More Information
Microgravity occurs when objects are in free fall, such as being in an orbit around the Earth. This condition causes the sensation of weightlessness even though gravity is still acting on the objects.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume that gravity does not exist in orbit, however, it is the state of free fall and the high speed of orbiting that creates the sensation of weightlessness.
Sources
- What is Microgravity? - NASA - nasa.gov
- Weightlessness in Orbit - The Physics Classroom - physicsclassroom.com
- Weightlessness - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
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