answersLogoWhite

0

Work is done whenever the given two conditions are satisfied:

(i) A force acts on the body.

(ii) There is a displacement of the body by the application of force in or opposite to the direction of force.

If the direction of force is perpendicular to displacement, then the work done is zero.

If the satellite is in a perfectly circular orbit, then the force of gravity is always

perpendicular to the satellite's velocity, and gravity never does any work.

If the orbit isn't circular, then there is a radial component of velocity at most points in

the orbit, and some gravitational acceleration, work, etc., but those are exactly matched

by negative values at other points in the orbit, and the total over a complete orbit

is zero again.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

LaoLao
The path is yours to walk; I am only here to hold up a mirror.
Chat with Lao
TaigaTaiga
Every great hero faces trials, and you—yes, YOU—are no exception!
Chat with Taiga
CoachCoach
Success isn't just about winning—it's about vision, patience, and playing the long game.
Chat with Coach
More answers

During the time that the rocket motors or attitude thrusters are firing, an astronaut in space is acted on by the force of the acceleration of his spacecraft against his body. At all times, the astronaut is acted upon by a gravitational force in the direction of every piece of mass in the universe. The nearer, more massive bodies cause greater forces of attraction, while the farther, less massive bodies cause lesser forces. Even when he is not in space, the astronaut, as well as you and I, experience those same forces at all times. You and I may also be acted upon by the force of the atmosphere, such as when the wind blows, but the astronaut in space isn't.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
User Avatar

Anything in motion continues moving in a straight line at a constant speed,

unless an external force acts on it. That's what would happen to satellites if

there were no force to bend their straight-line path into a curve around the

Earth. The force is the gravitational attraction between the Earth and the

satellite, and it's a 'centripetal' one because it always attracts the satellite

toward the 'center' of the Earth.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
User Avatar

just one, gravity. The velocity of the satellite keeps it rotating.

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago
User Avatar

The direction at which it moves. Since velocity is made up of a speed and a direction, you might also say that it changes the satellite's velocity.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
User Avatar

Centripetal Force
Gravity!
Gravity

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What are the forces that act on an astronaut in outer space?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp