gravity is primary force of the universe and is a major factor in the birth of s
ID: 406 • Letter: G
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gravity is primary force of the universe and is a major factor in the birth of stars, planetary systems, and the structure of galaxies (as well as most other things!). For space travelers, a kind of
gravity is primary force of the universe and is a major factor in the birth of stars, planetary systems, and the structure of galaxies (as well as most other things!). For space travelers, a kind of "artificial gravity" can be created under certain circumstances. We know that a body will tend to "float" around a space station orbiting Earth or in a spaceship cruising at a constant velocity with respect to the stars. Consider a structure that is in the shape as shown below rotating about an axis through its middle perpendicular to the long axis in order to provide artificial gravity. What would an astronaut experience as he walks across the long axis from one end to the other. Explain the underlying physical principles of this dynamic system.Explanation / Answer
Gravity would be at its strongest at the furthest point from the axis.
And it would be directed at right angles the path taken.
So it would be like trying to walk on a wall -- the astronaut would initially have great trouble trying to maintain balance, and would tend to fall back to his starting point
Gravity would steadily decrease to zero at the axis.
He'd find the force tending to make him fall get weaker
At the axis the astronaut would be weightless.
Proceeding past the axis, the astronaut would feel a force that tended to make him fall toward the destination.
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