Weightlessness is experienced by objects inside a satellite. Even though the moon is a natural satellite of the earth, we do not experience weightlessness on the moon. This is because-

The correct answer is option 3) i.e. mass of the moon is considerably large

CONCEPT:

• Weight: The weight of an object is the force with which it is pulled by gravity.

It is given by:

W = mg

Where m is the mass of the body and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

• Weightlessness: Weightlessness is a sensation experienced by a body in the absence of any forces or gravity acting on it.

EXPLANATION:

• Weightless is felt inside artificial satellites because the gravitational force on the satellite due to the planet provides the centripetal force to keep it revolving in the orbit.

• Even though the same effect of centripetal force works on the moon, the mass of the moon is large compared to the mass of the artificial satellites.

• Thus, the weight of an object on the moon is the gravitational force with which the moon attracts the object towards its surface. Since the mass of the moon is very large, this force cannot be neglected.

• Whereas the mass of an artificial satellite is smaller compared to that of the moon, and hence the force of gravity between the object and the artificial satellite can be neglected. Hence, the object experiences weightlessness inside the satellite.