Author Question: In order to train for a high-g environment, an astronaut is placed in a centrifuge of radius several ... (Read 122 times)

rl · **on:** Jul 28, 2018

In order to train for a high-g environment, an astronaut is placed in a centrifuge of radius several meters and rotated in a horizontal circle at constant speed. In this situation, in which direction is the net force on the astronaut?
a. The net force is down since gravity cannot be turned off.
b. The net force is horizontal toward the center of the circle.
c. The net force is between horizontal toward the center of the circle and straight up, the angle depending on the speed and the radius involved. d. The net force is zero since the astronaut is moving at constant speed and thus the force has no direction.

Question 2

A wheel is rotated about a horizontal axle at a constant angular rate. Next, it is rotated in the opposite direction with the same angular rate. The acceleration at a point on the top of the wheel in the second case as compared to the acceleration in the first case:
a. is in the same direction.
c. is upward. b. is in the opposite direction.
d. is tangential to the wheel.