If a body of mass 1 kg falls on the earth from infinity, it attains velocity (v) and kinetic energy (k) on reaching the surface of earth. The values of v and k respectively are . (Take radius of earth to be 6400 km and g=9.8 m/s2)
- 11.2 km/s; 6.27 107 J
- 11.2 km/s; 12.54 107 J
- 8.8 km/s; 6.27 107 J
- 8.8 km/s; 12.54 107 J
Answer
(1) 11.2 km/s; 6.27 107 J
Solution
At infinity the body is at rest and its potential energy is zero.
Energy conservation: 0 = 12mv2 - GMmR
⇒ k = 12mv2 = GMmR = mgR ∵ GM = gR2
k = 1 9.8 6.4 106 = 6.27 107 J
v = 2gR = 2 9.8 6.4 106 = 1.2544 108
⇒ v = 1.12 104 m/s = 11.2 km/s (equal to the escape speed)
Answer: (1)