The reason an astronaut in an Earth satellite feels weightless is that
A)the astronaut is beyond the range of the earth's gravitational pull.
B)the astronaut is in the state of free fall.
C)the astronaut is at a point in space where the effects of the Moon's gravity and Earth's gravity cancel.
D)this is a psychological effect associated with rapid motion.
E)the astronaut's acceleration is zero.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An astronaut in an Earth satellite feels weightless because they are in a state of free fall. The gravitational pull on the satellite and astronaut is balanced by the centripetal force needed to keep the satellite in orbit, effectively canceling out the effects of gravity and making the astronaut feel weightless.

The Reason an Astronaut in an Earth Satellite Feels Weightless