Q5DQ - University Physics with Modern Physics

Question

For medical reasons, astronauts in outer space must determine their body mass at regular intervals. Devise a scheme for measuring body mass in an apparently weightless environment.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The astronaut may need some devices which are a spring force scale, meter stick, two spring ropes, displacement signs and a stopwatch.

Step 1: Significance of the body mass

The body mass index (BMI) is described as a medical tool of screening which mainly measures the ratio of the height to the weight of a person. It is used to estimate the body fat a person carries.

Step 2: Determination of the scheme for measuring body mass

In a weightless environment, the astronaut may need some devices which are a spring force scale, meter stick, two spring ropes, displacement signs and a stopwatch. 

 

The equation for measuring the mass in a weightless environment is expressed as:

 

$m=\frac{14T\Delta t^2}{/d}$ 

 

Here, m is the mass of the astronaut, T is the tension taken from the force scale, $∆t$ is the time taken to reach from one place to the other with the help of displacement signs and stopwatch and d is the distance between the displacement signs measured from the spring ropes and meter stick.

 

Thus, the astronaut may need some devices which are a spring force scale, meter stick, two spring ropes, displacement signs and a stopwatch.