Question

slader How much energy is required to move a 1040 kg object from the Earth's surface to an altitude four times the Earth's radius

Answer 1

ΔU = 5.21 × 10^(10) J

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given;

Mass of object; m = 1040 kg

To solve this, we will use the formula for potential energy which is;

U = -GMm/r

But we are told we want to move the object from the Earth's surface to an altitude four times the Earth's radius.

Thus;

ΔU = -GMm((1/r_f) - (1/r_i))

Where;

M is mass of earth = 5.98 × 10^(24) kg

r_f is final radius

r_i is initial radius

G is gravitational constant = 6.67 × 10^(-11) N.m²/kg²

Since, it's moving to altitude four times the Earth's radius, it means that;

r_i = R_e

r_f = R_e + 4R_e = 5R_e

Where R_e is radius of earth = 6371 × 10³ m

Thus;

ΔU = -6.67 × 10^(-11) × 5.98 × 10^(24)

× 1040((1/(5 × 6371 × 10³)) - (1/(6371 × 10³))

ΔU = 5.21 × 10^(10) J