At a point above the surface of the earth, the gravitational potential...
Given:Gravitational potential (V) = 5.12 x 10^7 J/kg
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 6.4 m/s^2
Mean radius of the Earth (R) = 6400 km = 6400000 m
Formula:Gravitational potential (V) = gh, where g is the acceleration due to gravity and h is the height above the surface of the Earth.
Calculation:Let's assume the height above the surface of the Earth as 'h'.
Using the formula, V = gh, we can rearrange it to solve for h:
h = V/g
Substituting the given values:
h = (5.12 x 10^7 J/kg) / (6.4 m/s^2)
Calculation Steps:
1. Convert the given potential from J/kg to J/m by multiplying it with 1 kg/m:
V = 5.12 x 10^7 J/kg * 1 kg/m = 5.12 x 10^7 J/m
2. Divide the potential by the acceleration due to gravity to find the height:
h = 5.12 x 10^7 J/m / 6.4 m/s^2
3. Perform the division:
h = 8 x 10^6 m
4. Convert the height from meters to kilometers by dividing it by 1000:
h = 8 x 10^6 m / 1000 = 8 x 10^3 km
5. Subtract the mean radius of the Earth from the calculated height to get the height above the Earth's surface:
Height above Earth's surface = h - R = 8 x 10^3 km - 6400 km = 1600 km
Answer:The height above the Earth's surface is 1600 km.