Question

The International Space Station has a mass of 4.19 ✕ 105 kg and orbits at a radius of 6.79 ✕ 106 m from the center of Earth. Find the gravitational force exerted by Earth on the space station, the space station's gravitational potential energy, and the weight of a 90.8 kg astronaut living inside the station. HINT (a) the gravitational force (in N) exerted by Earth on the space station (Enter the magnitude.) 3.62E6 Correct: Your answer is correct. N (b) the space station's gravitational potential energy (in J) J (c) the weight (in N) of an 90.8 kg astronaut living inside the station N

Answer 1

Concept - use the equation for potential energy of the earth plus space station system to find the required gravitational potential energy as shown below. Weight of the astronaut will be the force exerted by the earth on the astronaut.

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