Why Do Objects Appear Weightless in Orbit 2025

📘 Book Answer (As used in NEET preparation materials):

Objects appear weightless in orbit because they are in a state of continuous free fall towards the Earth. While gravity still acts on them, they are falling around the Earth along with the spacecraft at the same rate. This creates a condition of apparent weightlessness. The gravitational force provides the centripetal force necessary for circular motion, but since both the object and its surrounding spacecraft are accelerating equally due to gravity, there is no normal reaction force acting on the object. This absence of a normal force is what we perceive as weightlessness.

In short, the object still has weight (due to gravity), but it doesn’t feel it because there is no contact force to provide the sensation of weight.

🔍 Easy & Relatable Explanation:

Okay, imagine you’re on a rollercoaster, and during a sudden drop, you feel your stomach do that flip and your body lift off the seat for a second? That’s kind of what’s happening in orbit — except it’s happening all the time!

When astronauts are in a spaceship going around the Earth, the ship and everything inside it — including the astronauts — are falling toward Earth. But Earth is curving away from them at the same time, so they just keep missing it. It’s like forever falling but never hitting the ground.

So technically, gravity is totally there — it’s pulling everything toward Earth. But because everything is falling together — the ship, the astronaut, their snacks — it feels like nothing weighs anything. That’s what we call “weightlessness.” It’s not that gravity disappears; it’s just that nothing has a chance to press against anything else, so there’s no force felt.

Think of it this way: If you’re in an elevator and the cable snaps (okay, dark example, but go with it), you’d fall at the same rate as the elevator. You’d float inside the cabin, just like astronauts do in space.

🎯 Real Life Example:

When you see videos of astronauts floating, they’re not in “zero gravity.” They’re falling around Earth — like a super smooth rollercoaster ride in space.

So, gravity’s not gone, it’s just everyone’s falling together. That’s why objects appear weightless.

📌 Disclaimer:

This explanation is written in an easy, relatable way to help you understand the concept clearly. If your teacher or exam expects a textbook-style answer and you write this one instead, and it affects your marks, we’re not responsible. Use this to understand, not to copy!

🔗 External Resource:

Wikipedia – Weightlessness
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weightlessness

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