ASTR 101 Chapter Notes -Inverse-Square Law, Gravity Falls, Weightlessness
1 Feb 2014
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Weight can be expressed in two interrelated ways: Technical definition is the downward force of earth"s gravity acting on a body. Not always aware of the force, as you could be in a freefall state where you feel weightless yet gravity is still acting upon you (example: Effect of gravity on the iss is only 5% less (gravity falls off using the inverse square law), however they appear weightless due to their constant freefall state. Effect of gravity is not dependent on distance from the ground, rather the distance from the center of earth. Weightlessness: if you are falling towards earth holding a heavy object, it will appear to float in front of you without weight. If you try to push it sideways it will require effort however holding it up does not. Analogous to the conditions in the iss since both astronauts and the station are freefalling towards earth.
