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7.Gravitation
medium
The international space station is maintained in a nearly circular orbit with a mean altitude of $330 \,km$ and a maximum of $410 \,km$. An astronaut is floating in the space station's cabin. The acceleration of astronaut as measured from the earth is
A
zero
B
nearly zero and directed towards the earth
C
nearly $g$ and directed along the line of travel of the station
D
nearly $g$ and directed towards the earth
(KVPY-2015)
Solution
(d)
At height $h$, acceleration due to gravity is $g_h=\frac{G M}{(R+h)^2}$
For
$h << R,$
$g_h \approx \frac{G M}{R^2}=g$
Direction is towards centre of earth.
Standard 11
Physics