Passengers in a high-flying jumbo jet feel their normal weight in flight, while passengers in the orbiting space shuttle do not. This is because passengers in the space shuttle are
A) without support forces.
B) beyond the main pull of Earth's gravity.
C) above the Earth's atmosphere.
D) all of these
E) none of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Passengers in the space shuttle feel weightless because they are in a state of continuous free fall towards Earth, effectively in orbit. This creates a condition where support forces are virtually absent, as both the shuttle and its occupants are falling at the same rate. The main pull of Earth's gravity still affects them (ruling out B), and being above Earth's atmosphere (C) is not the direct reason for the sensation of weightlessness.

Passengers in a High-Flying Jumbo Jet Feel Their Normal Weight