A space probe of mass is first lifted from the Earth’s surface to an altitude of and
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
A space probe of mass 200kg is first lifted from the Earth’s surface to an altitude of 400km and, after some time, is boosted further to an altitude of 1600km. Ignore any change in kinetic energy during each stage.
(i) Calculate the work required for the first stage of the journey (surface to 400km).
(ii) Calculate the work required for the second stage (400km to 1600km).
(iii) Find the total work done in the two–stage process.
(iv) Calculate the work that would be required if the probe were taken directly from the surface to 1600km in one single operation. Compare this value with your result in part (iii) and state what this indicates about the path taken.