Why do astronauts feel weightless in space?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the phenomenon of weightlessness experienced by astronauts in space, which is mainly due to the conditions of microgravity and the state of free fall that spacecraft experience while orbiting the Earth.
Answer
They are in free fall with only gravity acting on them.
Astronauts feel weightless because they are in free fall, with gravity being the only force acting on them, and no external contact force is present.
Answer for screen readers
Astronauts feel weightless because they are in free fall, with gravity being the only force acting on them, and no external contact force is present.
More Information
Astronauts don't feel their weight because, in orbit, they constantly fall towards Earth, but their horizontal velocity keeps them from hitting the ground, creating a state of continuous free fall.
Tips
A common mistake is to think there is no gravity in space. In fact, gravity is what keeps astronauts in orbit.
Sources
- Weightlessness in Orbit - Physics Classroom - physicsclassroom.com
- Free Falling: the science of weightlessness - Harvard - sitn.hms.harvard.edu
- Why are astronauts on the ISS weightless? - Reddit - reddit.com
