A rocket leaves the surface of the Earth and flies to a distance of one Earth ra

Question

A rocket leaves the surface of the Earth and flies to a distance of one Earth radius above the surface of the Earth. What happens to both the gravitational force and potential energy of the rocket? Select one:

a. The force increases by factor of 2. The potential energy decreases by factor of 2.

b. The force decreases by factor of 2. Thepotential energy increases by factor of 4.

c. The force increases by factor of 4. The potential energy decreases by factor of 2.

d. The force decreases by factor of 4. The potential energy increases by factor of 2.

Explanation / Answer

The gravitaionl force inveresely varies with square of the distance between them

F = GMm/ R^2

and the potential energy varies inversely with the distance.

U = - GMm / R

If rocket reaches at a distance one earth radius, F = GMm/ ( R +R )^2 ; it implies that The force decreases by factor of 4. The potential energy increases by factor of 2.

The correct option is ( d )

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