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Module 5: Advanced Mechanics
Quick questions on Gravitational potential energy and escape velocity explained: HSC Physics Module 5
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is escape velocity?Show answer
Escape velocity is the minimum speed needed at a distance for an object to reach infinity with zero remaining kinetic energy. By conservation of energy:
What is wrong reference point?Show answer
Zero potential energy is at infinity, not at the planet's surface or centre.
What is q1?Show answer
Write the formula for gravitational potential energy of a mass at distance from a body of mass and explain the choice of zero. [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
A payload is moved from the surface of Earth to a circular orbit at altitude . Calculate the change in gravitational PE. [4 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
A spacecraft is fired straight up at from Earth's surface. (a) Calculate its total mechanical energy. (b) Find the maximum height above Earth's centre reached.
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