Although the distinction between mass and weight may seem trivial on the surface of the earth. It can be a matter of life and death in space. Suppose a space station is being built in orbit around the earth. Astronauts building the station are moving huge girders into position in the space station.

a. Are these girders weightless?
b. If they are weightless, are they easier to move around in space than they would be on earth?
c. Could an astronaut be crushed to death between two huge girders moving toward each other in space, even if they were weightless?