Physics

Problem

An astronaut of mass

m

is working on a satellite orbiting the earth at a distance

h

from the earth's surface. The radius of the earth is

R

, while its mass is

M

. The gravitational pull

F_G

on the astronaut is: a. Zero since astronaut feels weightless b.

\frac{GMm}{(R+h)^2} < F_G < \frac{GMm}{R^2}

F_G = \frac{GMm}{(R+h)^2}

0 < F_G < \frac{GMm}{R^2}