A spring can be used to determine the mass m of an object in two ways

A spring can be used to determine the mass m of an object in two ways : (i) by measuring the extension in the spring due to the object; and (ii) by measuring the oscillation period for the given mass. Which of these methods can be used in a space-station orbiting Earth ?

Both

Only the extension method

Only the oscillation method

Neither

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2015

Download PDF Attempt Online

Method (i) involves measuring the extension of a spring caused by the weight of the object (F = mg, where F is the force causing extension, m is mass, and g is acceleration due to gravity). In a space station orbiting Earth, objects are in a state of apparent weightlessness because they are in free fall. The effect of gravity is effectively absent for this type of measurement, so there would be no significant extension of the spring due to the object’s mass in the absence of gravitational force acting downwards. Method (ii) involves measuring the oscillation period of a mass attached to a spring. The period of oscillation (T) of a simple harmonic oscillator like a mass-spring system is given by T = 2π√(m/k), where m is the mass and k is the spring constant. This formula depends on mass (m) and spring constant (k), but not on gravity (g). Therefore, the oscillation method can be used to determine mass in a weightless environment like an orbiting space station.

Measuring extension relies on weight (force due to gravity), which is effectively zero in orbit. Measuring oscillation period relies on inertial mass and spring constant, which are unaffected by gravity.

The oscillation method is actually used on the International Space Station (ISS) with a device called the Body Mass Measurement Device (BMMD) to measure the mass of astronauts. The BMMD is essentially a chair attached to springs that oscillates, and the oscillation period is used to calculate the mass. This demonstrates the practicality of the oscillation method for mass determination in a microgravity environment.

Join Our Telegram Channel

More similar MCQ questions for Exam preparation:-