Physics

Problem

A comet of mass

2.0\times10^{12}\,\text{kg}

is far from the Sun at a distance of

5.0\times10^{11}\,\text{m}

, where its speed may be taken as negligible. Neglect the gravitational influence of all other bodies. (a) Calculate the speed of the comet when it reaches a distance of

1.0\times10^{11}\,\text{m}

from the centre of the Sun. (b) Determine the kinetic energy of the comet at this nearer point. (c) Find the escape speed from the Sun at

1.0\times10^{11}\,\text{m}

and express the comet’s speed as a fraction of this escape speed. (Mass of the Sun

=1.99\times10^{30}\,\text{kg}

.) a. Calculate the speed of the comet when it reaches a distance of

1.0\times10^{11}\,\text{m}

from the centre of the Sun. b. Determine the kinetic energy of the comet at this nearer point. c. Find the escape speed from the Sun at

1.0\times10^{11}\,\text{m}

and express the comet’s speed as a fraction of this escape speed.

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