A satellite in a circular orbit around earth with a radius 1.019 times the mean radius of the earth is hit by an incoming meteorite. A large fragment m=60 kg is ejected in the backwards direction so that it is stationary with respect to the earth and falls directly to the ground. Its speed just before it hits the ground is 373 m/s.

Question

A satellite in a circular orbit around earth with a radius 1.019 times the mean radius of the earth is hit by an incoming meteorite. A large fragment m=60 kg is ejected in the backwards direction so that it is stationary with respect to the earth and falls directly to the ground. Its speed just before it hits the ground is 373 m/s. 
A. Find the total work done by gravity on the satellite fragment.

B. Find the amount of that work converted to heat

Thanks for the help on the water flow problem.  I thought that we had to use the given velocity so no problems there.  This problem is really giving me trouble I assume that I'm supposed to use PE=-G(Me)(m)/R  to start but not sure

bobpursley · Answer

Find the total PE available PE=GMm/Re (1/2.019 -1/1) Now, that has to be the work done heat+finalKE=work done

Andy · Answer

ok so I calculate PE when R is (1/1.019)*3.38e6 and then calculate Pe when R is just 3.38e6? Or are you saying multiple (Pe)(1/1.019-1/1)?