An astronaut takes a ball of mass m from earth to space. He throws the ball into a circular orbit about earth at an altitude of 318.5 km. From earth's surface to the orbit, the change in total mechanical energy of the ball is x GMe m21Re. The value of x is (take Re = 6370 km) :
- 12
- 11
- 9
- 10
Answer
(2) 11
Solution
h = 318.5 km = Re20, so orbit radius r = 21Re20
On the surface (at rest): E1 = - GMe mRe
In the orbit: E2 = - GMe m2r = - 10GMe m21Re
E = E2 - E1 = GMe mRe (1 - 1021 ) = 11 GMe m21Re
x = 11
Answer: (2)