The gravitational potential at a point above the surface of earth is -5.12 107 J/kg and the acceleration due to gravity at that point is 6.4 m/s2. Assume that the mean radius of earth to be 6400 km. The height of this point above the earth's surface is :
- 1600 km
- 1200 km
- 540 km
- 1000 km
Answer
(1) 1600 km
Solution
At distance r=R+h from the centre:
|V|= GMr=5.12 107, g= GMr2=6.4
r= |V|g= 5.12 1076.4=8 106 m=8000 km
h=8000-6400=1600 km
Answer: (1)