A piece of spacecraft debris initially at rest falls to the earth's surface from a height above the earth equal to one-half of the earth's radius. Find the speed at which the piece of debris hits the surface. Neglect air resistance and the gravitational pull of the moon. Express your answer with the appropriate units.

Question

Physics

Kaleigh Jensen

17 July, 10:07

A piece of spacecraft debris initially at rest falls to the earth's surface from a height above the earth equal to one-half of the earth's radius. Find the speed at which the piece of debris hits the surface. Neglect air resistance and the gravitational pull of the moon. Express your answer with the appropriate units.

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Answers (1)

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Ingrid Alvarado · Answer 1

7.65 X 10^12 m/s

Explanation:

When the debris falls, at that instance P. E = K. E

mgh=mv^2 / 2

mass of the earth = 5.972 * 10^24

height=5.972 * 10^24/2

Height h = 2.986 * 10^24

V=√ (2gh)

V = √ (2 * 9.8 * 2.986 * 10^24)

V = 7.65 X 10^12 m/s