The amount of gravitational force that acts on the space shuttle while in orbit is
A) the same as the shuttle's weight on the Earth's surface.
B) nearly zero.
C) almost as much as the shuttle's weight on the Earth's surface.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The space shuttle in orbit experiences almost as much gravitational force as it does on the Earth's surface. The sensation of weightlessness is due to the shuttle being in free fall towards Earth, but because of its horizontal velocity, it keeps missing Earth, thus orbiting around it.

The Amount of Gravitational Force That Acts on the Space