A Rocket launches with an acceleration of 34 m/s2 upward. What is the apparent weight of a 75 kg astronaut aboard this rocket?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Consider the situation: a rocket accelerates upward with a = 34 m/s^2, while the astronaut has mass m = 75 kg. The apparent weight is the normal force the astronaut feels, which effectively equals m times the apparent gravitational acceleration, g_eff = g + a when accelerating upward.

Option 1: 3942 N. This would correspond to m*(g_eff) with g_eff ≈ 52.56 m/s^2, which is far larger than g + a for this problem. Since g is about 9.8 m/s^2 and a is 34 m/s^2, g_eff ≈ 43.8 m/s^2, not 52.56. Hence this value is inconsistent.

Option 2: 4622 N. Similar issue as above: dividing 4622 N by 75 kg gives g_eff ≈ 61.63 m/s^2, which does not match the given g + a. This cannot be the correct apparent weight under the stated conditions.

Option 3: 5010 N. This implies g_eff ≈ 5010 / 75 ≈ 66.8 m/s^2, again not aligning with g + a for an upward acceleration of 34 m/s^2. This is not plausible for the scenario.

Option 4: 3285 N. Here, 3285 / 75 kg = 43.8 m/s^2, which exactly equals g (9.8) plus a (34) ≈ 43.8. This is the correct framework: apparent weight increases when the ascent accelerates upward, by total acceleration g + a.

Option 5: None of these. Since we found a consistent calculation that matches the physics, this option would be incorrect because a valid apparent weight exists among the choices.

In summary, the key idea is that the astronaut’s apparent weight on an upward-accelerating rocket is m times (g + a). Plugging in m = 75 kg, g ≈ 9.8 m/s^2, and a = 34 m/s^2 yields 75 × (9.8 + 34) ≈ 75 × 43.8 = 3285 N, which aligns with option 4 and contradicts the other numbers.

2025 Fall PHYS 2205 TR 11:00 - 12:15 _ 89122 2205-Makeup Exam-1- Requires Respondus LockDown Browser

A Rocket launches with an acceleration of 34 m/s2 upward. What is the apparent weight of a 75 kg astronaut aboard this rocket?

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