An astronaut is in a capsule in a stable orbit, about two Earth radii from the center of Earth. Her weight is
A) zero N.
B) the same as on the surface of Earth.
C) about one-half of her weight on the surface of Earth.
D) about one-third of her weight on the surface of Earth.
E) about one-quarter of her weight on the surface of Earth.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gravitational force decreases with the square of the distance from the center of the Earth. At two Earth radii, the force is (1/2)^2 = 1/4 of the force at the surface.

An Astronaut Is in a Capsule in a Stable Orbit