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Zynoakib
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Homework Statement
A 500-kg satellite is in a circular orbit at an altitude of
500 km above the Earth’s surface. Because of air friction,
the satellite eventually falls to the Earth’s surface,
where it hits the ground with a speed of 2.00 km/s. How
much energy was transformed into internal energy by
means of air friction?
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Total Energy of satellite = PE = KE
= G(mass of satellite)(mass of Earth)/ - 2 (Earth's radius + orbit's height)
= -1.45 x 10^10 J
KE before crash = 0.5 (500)(2000)^2 = 1 x 10^9 J
Energy loss due to friction
- 1.45 x 10^10 - 1 x 10^9 = 1.55 x 10^9 J
But the answer is 1.58 x 10^9 J, what is missing?
Thanks in advance!