Explain the reason of weightlessness inside a satellite.

Explanation

Feeling of weight is due to the normal reaction from the ground. Inside a satellite, this normal reaction becomes zero, which can be proved as given below.
Orbital speed is given by
`upsilon = sqrt((GM)/(r))` ..(i)
Two forces are acting on the person.
(i) `F =` gravitational force from earth
or `F = (GMm)/(r^(2))` ..(ii)
(ii) `N =` normal reaction
Person is also revolving in circular motion with same speed `upsilon`. So, it needs a centripetal force.
`:. F - N = (m upsilon^(2))/(r)` or `N = F - (m upsilon^(2))/(r)`
Substituting the value of `F` and `upsilon` in Eqs. (i) and (ii) we have,
`N = (GMm)/(r^(2)) - (m)/(r) (sqrt((GM)/(r)))^(2) = 0` Hence proved.