Question

The first asteroid to be discovered is Ceres. It is the largest and most massive asteroid is

our solar system’s asteroid belt, having an estimated mass of 3.0 x 1021 kg and an orbital
speed of 17900 m/s. Determine the amount of kinetic energy possessed by Ceres.

Answer 1

kinetic energy possessed by Ceres = 4.806 × 10^(29) J

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given;

Estimated mass; m = 3 × 10^(21) kg

Orbital speed; v = 17900 m/s

Formula for kinetic energy is;

K.E = ½mv²

K.E = ½ × 3 × 10^(21) × 17900²

K.E = 4.806 × 10^(29) J

Thus;

kinetic energy possessed by Ceres = 4.806 × 10^(29) J