Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 10 - Think and Explain - Page 203-205: 80

Answer

The first classmate is mistaken. The astronauts are still acted upon by Earth's gravity. However, they and the airplane around them are in free fall and there is no support force. They feel weightless under these conditions.

Work Step by Step

This is discussed on pages 166-167.
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