Weightless in space.
Classical Mechanics
Level
2
Why does an astronaut feel weightless in space?
There is no gravity in space
There is no gravity in a vacuum.
There is no air resistance in space
The astronaut is in a free fall so the net resultant force is 0.
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1 solution
In space an astronaut experiences gravitational force, though very weak, from the surrounding body, say the Earth. And he is in a free fall towards or away from the Earth depending on his velocity. As in Einstein's elevator thought experience. If you are in an elevator and all of a sudden the cables snap and you are free falling with the elevator car, you will feel weightlessness.