Askiitians Tutor Team
Last Activity: 1 Month ago
To determine the initial velocity of a particle fired vertically upwards from the Earth's surface that reaches a height of 6400 km, we can use the principles of physics, specifically the equations of motion under the influence of gravity. Given that the radius of the Earth (R) is 6400 km and the acceleration due to gravity (g) is 10 m/s², we can derive the initial velocity needed for the particle to reach that height.
Understanding the Problem
When a particle is projected upwards, it experiences a deceleration due to gravity until it reaches its maximum height. At that point, its velocity becomes zero before it starts to fall back down. The key here is to find the initial velocity (u) required to reach a height (h) of 6400 km (or 6,400,000 meters, since we need to work in standard units).
Using the Kinematic Equation
We can use the following kinematic equation that relates initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and displacement:
In this equation:
- v is the final velocity (0 m/s at the maximum height)
- u is the initial velocity (what we want to find)
- a is the acceleration (which will be -g, or -10 m/s², since gravity acts downwards)
- s is the displacement (the height reached, which is 6,400,000 m)
Plugging in the Values
Since the final velocity (v) at the maximum height is 0, we can rearrange the equation:
This simplifies to:
Now, we can solve for u²:
Taking the square root gives us:
Calculating the Initial Velocity
Now, let's calculate the square root:
Final Thoughts
The initial velocity required for the particle to reach a height of 6400 km is approximately 11314 m/s. This calculation assumes a simplified model where air resistance is neglected and gravity remains constant throughout the ascent, which is a reasonable approximation for this height relative to the Earth's radius.