A space-probe is to be launched from a small moon where the escape speed is

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power

Problem

A space-probe is to be launched from a small moon where the escape speed is 50 m ⁣/s50\,\text{m\!/s}. Consider the following two probes: (i) Probe A has a mass of 2.0 kg2.0\,\text{kg} and is launched at 0.600.60 times the escape speed. Calculate its kinetic energy at launch. (ii) Probe B is launched with a speed of 80 m ⁣/s80\,\text{m\!/s} and is required to have the same kinetic energy as Probe A. Determine the mass of Probe B that will satisfy this condition. (iii) If Probe B were instead launched at 0.800.80 times the escape speed while still needing to match the kinetic energy of Probe A, what would its mass have to be?

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