College Physics with MasteringPhysics 7th Edition by Jerry Wilson,Anthony Buffa,Bo Lou

Exercise 10

Astronauts in a spacecraft orbiting the Earth or out for a "space walk" (Fig.) are seen to "float" in midair. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as weightlessness or zero gravity (zero- g ). Are these terms correct Explain why an astronaut appears to float in or near an orbiting spacecraft.

FIGURE Out for a walk Why does this astronaut seem to "float" See Conceptual Question.