The magnitude of the tidal force between the International Space Station (ISS) a

Question

The magnitude of the tidal force between the International Space Station (ISS) and a nearby astronaut on a spacewalk is approximately 2GmMa/r^3. In this expression, M is the mass of the earth, r = 6.79 times 10^6 m is the distance from the center of the Earth to the orbit of the ISS, m = 125 kg is the mass of the astronaut, and a = 19 m is the distance from the astronaut to the center of mass of the ISS. Calculate the magnitude of the tidal force for this astronaut. This force tends to separate the astronaut from the ISS if the astronaut is located along the line that connects the center of the Earth with the center of mass of the ISS. Express your answer to two significant figures and include appropriate units. Calculate the force of gravitational attraction between the astronaut and the ISS if they are 19 m apart and the ISS has a mass of 420,000 kg. Express your answer to two significant figures and include appropriate units. Is the ISS orbit inside or outside the Roche limit? Outside Inside

Explanation / Answer

Part b)

ms = mass of ISS = 420,000 kg

m = mass of astronaut = 125 kg

d = distance between them = 19 m

Gravitational force is given as

Fg = G m ms/d2

Fg = (6.67 x 10-11) (125) (420000)/(19)2

Fg = 9.7 x 10-6 N

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.