A satellite in a circular orbit around the earth with a radius 1.015 times the m

Question

A satellite in a circular orbit around the earth with a radius 1.015 times the mean radius of the earth is hit by an incoming meteorite. A large fragment (M = 58 kg) is ejected in the backwards direction so that it is stationary with respect to the earth and falls directly to the ground. Its speed just before it hits the ground is 369 m/s. Find the total work done by gravity on the satellite fragment. The radius of the Earth = 6.37x 103 km; The mass of the Earth = 5.98 × 1024 kg. Calculate the amount of that work that is converted in to heat.

Explanation / Answer

PE = M g h = M g * .015 R = 58 * 9.8 * 9.56 * 10E4 = 5.43 * 10E7 J That was the original potential energy of the fragment KE = 1/2 M v^2 = 1/2 * 58 * 369^2 = 3.95 * 10E6 J So the energy lost to heat is (54.3 *- 3.95) * 10E6 = 50.4 * 10E6 J

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.