tino@hou2f.UUCP (A.TINO) (12/23/85)
Some definitions- weight: The gravitational force exerted by a planet (Earth) on an object. By this definition an orbiting spacecraft and a person falling from a rooftop both have weight. weightless: The absence of the subjective feeling of 'weight' due to supporting forces. My chair pushes up on me, giving me the feeling of 'weight'. Remove the chair and I'm weightless, at least until I hit the floor. Under normal earth conditions, to sit at my desk requires me to be supported--by desks, chairs, and floor. In an orbiting spacecraft everything is falling together, so no supporting forces are needed. _______ Al Tino