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A missile is launched with a velocity less than the escape velocity. The sum of its kinetic and potential energy is
  • a)
    Positive
  • b)
    Negative
  • c)
    Zero
  • d)
    May be positive or negative depending upon its initial velocity
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
A missile is launched with a velocity less than the escape velocity. T...
Kinetic energy would be obvious = 0.5mv^2
and the potential Energy would be= -Gm/r^2
Now total energy = 0.5mv^2 – Gm/r^2 hence would be negative as r approaches infinity.
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Most Upvoted Answer
A missile is launched with a velocity less than the escape velocity. T...
Explanation:
When a missile is launched with a velocity less than the escape velocity, it will eventually fall back to the surface of the Earth. The sum of its kinetic and potential energy at any point during its flight can be calculated using the following formula:

Total Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy = (1/2)mv^2, where m is the mass of the missile and v is its velocity.
Potential Energy = mgh, where m is the mass of the missile, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the missile above the surface of the Earth.

If the missile is launched with a velocity less than the escape velocity, then its kinetic energy will be less than its potential energy. Therefore, the total energy of the missile will be negative.

This negative energy represents the work that must be done by an external force to bring the missile to a stop and prevent it from falling back to the surface of the Earth. In other words, the missile has a gravitational potential energy that is greater than its kinetic energy, so it is still bound to the Earth.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B, negative.
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Community Answer
A missile is launched with a velocity less than the escape velocity. T...
It cannot escape into space as it's velocity is lower than escape velocity.
the missile is bounded to the earth's gravitational field
hence negative
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