02. Will we really float? Why do we float; what makes us float in space? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

Jump to: navigation, search

Yes, you will really float, as every object is floating. This includes the spacecraft and everything in it. The reason we float is that the force of gravity that pulls us to the Earth is exactly counterbalanced by the outward force of the vehicle as it circles the Earth. This is called centripetal force.

Answer provided by Byron Lichtenberg, Ph.D.


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


Buy This Book Click here

Retrieved from "http://www.thespacelibrary.com/mediawiki/index.php/02._Will_we_really_float%3F_Why_do_we_float%3B_what_makes_us_float_in_space%3F_%28A_K2S_Question%29"