The work done to raise a mass m from the surface of the earth to a height h, which is equal to the radius of the earth, is :
- mgR
- 2mgR
- 12mgR
- 32mgR
Answer
(3) 12mgR
Solution
Work done = increase in gravitational potential energy:
W = (- GMm2R ) - (- GMmR ) = GMm2R
∵ GM = gR2
⇒ W = mgR22R
∴ W = 12mgR
Answer: (3)