While orbiting around the earth in a spaceship, an astronaut experiences

Options

A. more weight
B. lesser weight
C. weightless
D. nothing at all

Answer

To solve the question, "While orbiting around the earth in a spaceship, an astronaut experiences," we need to analyze the conditions of space and the effects of gravity on an astronaut in orbit.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Weight and Gravity:**
- Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is calculated as the product of mass and gravitational acceleration (W = m * g).
- On Earth, the gravitational force pulls objects towards its center, giving them weight.

**Hint:** Remember that weight depends on the gravitational force acting on an object.

2. **Conditions in Space:**
- In space, especially in low Earth orbit, gravity is still present, but it is weaker than on the surface of the Earth. The gravitational force does not disappear; it decreases with distance from the Earth's center.
- However, astronauts in a spaceship are in a state of free fall towards the Earth, which means they are falling at the same rate as the spaceship itself.

**Hint:** Consider the concept of free fall and how it affects the perception of weight.

3. **Feeling of Weightlessness:**
- Because the spaceship and the astronaut are both in free fall, the astronaut does not feel the normal force that would typically be felt when standing on the ground. This creates the sensation of weightlessness.
- The term "weightlessness" refers to the condition where an individual does not experience the sensation of weight, even though gravity is still acting on them.

**Hint:** Think about how free fall affects the experience of weight.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, while orbiting around the Earth in a spaceship, the astronaut experiences weightlessness. This is due to the lack of a normal force acting on them while they are in free fall, despite the presence of gravity.

**Final Answer:** The astronaut experiences weightlessness (Option 3).