Are G-forces smaller when traveling in space?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of G-forces experienced during space travel, particularly whether these forces are smaller in space compared to those on Earth. Participants explore the nature of G-forces in relation to acceleration and the effects of gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that G-forces are only felt when a spaceship's rockets are firing, implying that in the absence of thrust, there would be no G-forces experienced.
  • Another participant argues that G-forces remain the same regardless of location, stating that a spaceship would not be able to accelerate beyond a certain limit due to physical constraints.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes that G-forces are a measure of acceleration relative to Earth's gravitational field, suggesting that horizontal acceleration in space would not differ from that on Earth if the same thrust is produced.
  • There is a light-hearted reference to science fiction, indicating a cultural connection to the topic but not contributing to the technical discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of G-forces in space, with no consensus reached on whether they are smaller or the same as on Earth.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the conditions under which G-forces are measured and the effects of gravity are not fully explored, leaving room for further clarification.

Drbazz
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Are G-forces smaller when traveling in space?
 
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Drbazz said:
Are G-forces smaller when traveling in space?

Hi Drbazz! :smile:

G-forces are the force you feel when your spaceship fires its rockets.

If the rockets aren't firing, then there's no G-force. :smile:
 


No, they are the same.
Note that this means that a real spaceship carrying people wouldn't really be able to accelerate by more than 10 m/s^2 or so, at least not for very long.

(this is why the Starship Enterprise is equiped with inertial dampers:wink:)
 


[OT]
lol i love references to star trek,
my personal favourite is the "heissenberg uncertainty compensators"!
was living with a theoretical physicist at the time, had us laughing for hours!
 


You have to understand, G-forces is just a measure of the acceleration a body is undergoing, put into terms of the acceleration of objects in the Earth's gravitational field close to the surface.

Perhaps you're thinking that when they say a jet takes off with 5G acceleration, if this number would change in space. The answer is not really (assuming the jet works in space) because this acceleration is horizontal so it isn't really affected by gravity. Assuming the jet managed to produce the same amount of thrust, the "G-force" or accelerations felt by any passengers, would be the same as on earth.
 

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