Question

A space vehicle with a mass of 104,328 kg is at an altitude of 45.0 km when its boosters separate. What is the potential energy? Express your answer in scientific notation.

a)4.6 x 106 J
b)4.7 x 106 J
c)4.6 x 107 J
d)4.6 x 1010 J

Answer 1

PE = mgh = 104,328 kg · 9.8 m/s² · 45,000 m
PE = 4.6 x 10¹⁰ J
The answer is d) 4.6 x 10¹⁰ J