An astronaut whose weight on the Earth is 600 N experiences weightlessness on International Space Station orbiting around the Earth. It means that

  1. A. acceleration of the astronaut is zero
  2. B. normal reaction of the space-station floor on the astronaut is zero ✓
  3. C. gravitational pull of earth on the astronaut is zero
  4. D. space station applies a centrifugal force on the astronaut

Correct Answer: B. normal reaction of the space-station floor on the astronaut is zero

Explanation

Weightlessness is experienced in orbit because both the astronaut and the space station are in a continuous state of free fall towards the Earth, resulting in a zero normal contact force (reaction) between them.

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