To project a body of mass m from earth's surface to infinity, the required kinetic energy is (assume, the radius of earth is RE, g = acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth):
- 12mgRE
- 4mgRE
- mgRE
- 2mgRE
Answer
(3) mgRE
Solution
Energy conservation (surface → infinity): K - GMmRE = 0
K = GMmRE
GM = gRE2
K = gRE2 mRE = mgRE
Answer: (3)