Question

Gravitational potential energy of the Hubble Space Telescope is primarily dependent on:

a) Mass of the Earth
b) Distance from the Moon
c) Altitude in space
d) Mass of the telescope

Answer 1

The gravitational potential energy of the Hubble Space Telescope is primarily dependent on its d.mass and altitude in space.

Step-by-step explanation:

The gravitational potential energy of the Hubble Space Telescope is primarily dependent on (d) the mass of the telescope and its altitude in space. The formula for gravitational potential energy (U) is U = mgh, where m is the mass of the object (in this case, the telescope), g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height or altitude above a reference point. Since the gravitational force decreases with distance, g will vary with altitude.

However, of the options provided, the mass of the Earth affects the value of g, and the altitude in space affects the value of h, but since we are looking for what the energy depends on directly, mass of the telescope is the correct answer. The distance from the Moon is largely irrelevant here, and while Earth's mass does influence the acceleration due to gravity, it is not what the energy is primarily dependent on.