What is the gravitational force acting on a satellite in orbit compared to its weight on Earth?

What is the gravitational force acting on a satellite in orbit compared to its weight on Earth?

• A. 11 kilonewtons
• B. 25 kilonewtons
• C. 50 kilonewtons
• D. 100 kilonewtons

Answer: (B)

The gravitational force acting on a satellite in orbit is often misunderstood due to the common perception of weight on the Earth's surface. In orbit, a satellite experiences what is known as microgravity or weightlessness, despite still being under the influence of Earth's gravity. The correct answer, which states that the gravitational force acting on the satellite is 25 kilonewtons, reflects the continuous influence of gravity that persists even in orbit. The gravitational force does not disappear; rather, the satellite is in a state of free fall, continuously falling towards Earth while moving forward at a high tangential speed. This balance between gravitational pull and orbital velocity creates the sensation of weightlessness for the satellite and its instruments. Moreover, the effective weight of the satellite can be different depending on its altitude and specific conditions in its orbit. The calculation of gravitational force is based on the mass of the satellite and the distance from the center of the Earth. Thus, while the satellite is not experiencing weight in the traditional sense, the force due to gravity remains significant, and it is measured in kilonewtons.

The gravitational force acting on a satellite in orbit is often misunderstood due to the common perception of weight on the Earth's surface. In orbit, a satellite experiences what is known as microgravity or weightlessness, despite still being under the influence of Earth's gravity.

The correct answer, which states that the gravitational force acting on the satellite is 25 kilonewtons, reflects the continuous influence of gravity that persists even in orbit. The gravitational force does not disappear; rather, the satellite is in a state of free fall, continuously falling towards Earth while moving forward at a high tangential speed. This balance between gravitational pull and orbital velocity creates the sensation of weightlessness for the satellite and its instruments.

Moreover, the effective weight of the satellite can be different depending on its altitude and specific conditions in its orbit. The calculation of gravitational force is based on the mass of the satellite and the distance from the center of the Earth. Thus, while the satellite is not experiencing weight in the traditional sense, the force due to gravity remains significant, and it is measured in kilonewtons.