Asked by Brittany
If a 60 kg meteor falls to earth from a great distance. How much gravitational potential energy does it lose? (the energy PE is 0 at a great distance). What happens to this potential energy?
Final-Initial=-Gmm/r-0=change in energy
Final-Initial=-Gmm/r-0=change in energy
Answers
Answered by
drwls
The potential energy decreases by an amount
G M m/R
Where M is the Earth's mass, m is the meteor mass, and R is the radius of the Earth. G is the universal constant of gravity.
That energy increases the kinetic and thermal energy of the meteor and the atmosphere through which it passes.
G M m/R
Where M is the Earth's mass, m is the meteor mass, and R is the radius of the Earth. G is the universal constant of gravity.
That energy increases the kinetic and thermal energy of the meteor and the atmosphere through which it passes.
There are no AI answers yet. The ability to request AI answers is coming soon!
Submit Your Answer
We prioritize human answers over AI answers.
If you are human, and you can answer this question, please submit your answer.