The International Space Station has a mass of 4.19 x 105 kg and orbits at a radi

Question

The International Space Station has a mass of 4.19 x 105 kg and orbits at a radius of 6.79 x 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 73.5 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 (b) the space station's gravitational potential energy (in J) (c) the weight (in N) of an 73.5 kg astronaut living inside the station

Explanation / Answer

gravitational force F = G*Mearth*Mstation/r^2

F = 6.67*10^-11*5.97*10^24*4.19*10^5/(6.79*10^6)^2

F = 3.62*10^6 N

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part(b)

gravitational potential energy U = -G*Mearth*Mstation/r

gravitational potential energy U = -6.67*10^-11*5.97*10^24*4.19*10^5/(6.79*10^6) = -2.46*10^13 J

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part (c)

weight W = force exerted by earth on astronaut

weight W = G*Mearth*Mastro/r^2

weight W = 6.67*10^-11*5.97*10^24*73.5/(6.79*10^6)^2 = 635 N

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