Physics

Problem

The planet Mars has mass

6.4\times10^{23}\,\text{kg}

and radius

3.4\times10^{6}\,\text{m}

. A robotic lander of mass

1.2\times10^{3}\,\text{kg}

is in a circular parking orbit

3.0\times10^{5}\,\text{m}

above the Martian surface. (i) Calculate the gravitational potential at the surface of Mars. (ii) Determine the gravitational potential energy of the lander in the parking orbit. (iii) Express the answer of part (ii) in megajoules (MJ). a. Calculate the gravitational potential at the surface of Mars. b. Determine the gravitational potential energy of the lander in the parking orbit. c. Express the answer of part (ii) in megajoules (MJ).

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