Practice question
Question
A 8kg mass is moved from 8RE to 16RE from Earth’s center. What is the change in potential energy? (ME\=6×1024kg,RE\=6.4×106m,G\=6.67×10−11N m2/kg2)
Explanation
ΔV = −GMEm(1r2−1r1). r1 = 5.12×107m, r2 = 1.024×108m. ΔV = −6.67×10−11×6×1024×8(11.024×108−15.12×107). ΔV = −3.202×1015(−9.766×10−9)≈3.13×107J. As per NCERT, applying relevant law/formula with correct units and sign convention leads to 3.1 × 10⁷ J. This satisfies dimensional consistency and physical conditions given, so option B is scientifically correct.