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Chapter 1: Q13DQ (page 424)

If a projectile is fired straight up from the earth’s surface, what would happen if the total mechanical energy (kinetic plus potential) is (a) less than zero, and (b) greater than zero? In each case, ignore air resistance and the gravitational effects of the sun, the moon, and the other planets.

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a)The projectile will fall back to the earth.

(b) The projectile will get out from the atmosphere of the earth.

Step by step solution

01

Significance of the mechanical energy

Mechanical energy is the energy possessed by a particular object due to its position or its motion.

The concept of mechanical energy gives the correct answer.

02

(a) Determination of the effect if the mechanical energy is less than zero

If the kinetic plus the potential energy of an object is lesser than zero, then the object may not be able to achieve the escape velocity and it will also fall back to the surface of the earth.

Thus, the projectile will fall back to the earth.

03

(b) Determination of the effect if the mechanical energy is greater than zero

If the kinetic plus the potential energy of an object is greater than zero, then the object will achieve a large amount of speed to escape the gravitational clutch of the earth because the object goes towards the infinity.

Thus, the projectile will get out from the atmosphere of the earth.

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