- #1
Simon777
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Homework Statement
A satellite in a circular orbit around the Earth with a radius 1.011 times the mean radius of the Earth is hit by an incoming meteorite. A large fragment (m = 83.0 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 355.0 m/s. Find the total work done by gravity on the satellite fragment. RE 6.37·10^3 km; Mass of the earth= ME 5.98·10^24 kg.
Homework Equations
Gravitational PE= (-GmM)/R
The Attempt at a Solution
Delta PE= PE intial - PE final
= (-(6.67x10^-11) (83kg) (5.98x10^24kg))/((1.011) (6.37x10^3)) - (-(6.67x10^-11) (83kg) (5.98x10^24kg))/(6.37x10^3)
= 5.65x10^10J
This is incorrect and I have tried for hours to get something to work so any help would be greatly appreciated.