F = net force
m = mass
v = speed
r = radius
A daredevil bike rider goes
around a circular track. The bike
and rider together have the mass
shown. What is the centripetal
force on them?
F = (180 kg)(25 m/s)^2 /15 m
F = (180)(625)/15
F= 7500 N
Force directed toward center
8.6 - Artificial gravity
When a spacecraft is far away from the Earth and any
other massive body, the force of gravity is near zero.
As a result of this lack of gravitational force, the
astronauts and their equipment float in space.
Although perhaps amusing to watch and experience,
floating presents an unusual challenge because
humans are accustomed to working in environments
with enough gravity to keep them, and their
equipment, anchored to the floor. (Note: This same
feeling of weightlessness occurs in a spacecraft
orbiting the Earth, but the cause of the apparent
weightlessness in this case arises from the free-fall
motion of the craft and the astronaut, not from a lack
of gravitational force.)A rotating space station provides an illusion of gravity.(^170) Copyright 2000-2007 Kinetic Books Co. Chapter 08