Exploring Newton's First Law in Microgravity

Astronaut Suni Williams introduces the International Space Station (ISS) and discusses living in microgravity. The video explores Newton's First Law of Motion, demonstrating how objects behave in space. It explains the concept of drag and the reboost process used to maintain the ISS's orbit. Astronaut Jeff Williams demonstrates the effects of reboost on objects inside the ISS. The video concludes with a call to explore these concepts further through NASA's educational resources.

What is the altitude at which the International Space Station orbits the Earth?

• 350 miles

• 250 miles

• 150 miles

• 450 miles

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What environment do astronauts experience while living and working on the ISS?

• Normal gravity

• Zero gravity

• Microgravity

• High gravity

According to Newton's First Law of Motion, what happens to an object at rest?

• It changes direction

• It accelerates

• It stays at rest unless acted on by an outside force

• It starts moving on its own

What causes the ISS to slow down over time?

• Gravitational pull from the moon

• Magnetic fields

• Drag from atomic oxygen in space

• Solar winds

What is the purpose of a reboost for the ISS?

• To change its orbit

• To avoid space debris

• To speed up and maintain its orbit

• To slow down and descend

What does astronaut Jeff Williams use to demonstrate the effects of reboost inside the ISS?

• A water bottle

• A ball

• A camera with an 800mm lens

• A book

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What happens to the camera when the reboost begins?

• It stays in place

• It moves away from the viewer

• It spins in place

• It accelerates towards the viewer

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What does Jeff Williams feel when he holds the camera during the reboost?

• No change

• Vibration

• Deceleration

• Acceleration

What is the desired speed increase during the reboost?

• 4.2 meters per second

• 2.7 meters per second

• 1.5 meters per second

• 3.5 meters per second

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Where can students find more information and activities related to the physics of the ISS?

• nasa.gov/astronauts

• nasa.gov/iss

• nasa.gov/stemonstrations

• nasa.gov/space