How much work is required to lift a weight to orbit?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work required to lift a 100-kilogram weight to an orbit 35,786 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The correct calculation yields approximately 5,311,000,000 Joules using the gravitational force formula \(F_g = \frac{GMm}{r^2}\) and integrating from the Earth's radius to the orbital distance. Key variables include the gravitational constant \(G\), the mass of the Earth \(M\), and the radius of the Earth \(r_0\). The integral approach confirms the necessity of understanding gravitational physics for accurate work calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational force and the formula \(F_g = \frac{GMm}{r^2}\)
  • Basic knowledge of calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Familiarity with the concept of work in physics
  • Knowledge of the Earth's radius and orbital mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the gravitational constant \(G\) and its applications in physics
  • Learn advanced integration techniques in calculus
  • Explore orbital mechanics and the physics of launching objects into space
  • Investigate energy calculations in physics, particularly in gravitational fields
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in the calculations involved in lifting objects into orbit and understanding gravitational work.

karush
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9.5.1 work integral

How much work is done in lifting a $100$ kilogram weight from the surface of the Earth to an orbit $35,786$ kilometers above the surface of the earth?

Answer $\approx 5, 305, 028, 517$ Newton meters

$$6371=r_0$$
$$35786+r_0 = D$$
$$k=r_0^2\cdot100\approx4058964100$$
$$W=\int_{r_0}^{D} \frac{k}{{r}^{2}}\,dr \approx 540817.9092$$

Obviously didn't get the answer??
 
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karush said:
9.5.1 work integral

How much work is done in lifting a $100$ kilogram weight from the surface of the Earth to an orbit $35,786$ kilometers above the surface of the earth?

Answer $\approx 5, 305, 028, 517$ Newton meters

$$6371=r_0$$
$$35786+r_0 = D$$
$$k=r_0^2\cdot100\approx4058964100$$
$$W=\int_{r_0}^{D} \frac{k}{{r}^{2}}\,dr \approx 540817.9092$$

Obviously didn't get the answer??

Hi karush! ;)

The force of gravity is:
$$F_g = \frac{GMm}{r^2}$$
So:
$$\begin{aligned}W &= \int_{r_0}^D \frac{GMm}{r^2} \,dr = \left. -\frac{GMm}{r} \right|_{r_0}^D = GMm\left(\frac 1 {r_0} - \frac 1 D\right) \\
&= 3.986004418\cdot 10^{14} \cdot 100 \cdot \left(\frac 1 {6371\cdot 10^{3}} - \frac 1 {(35786+6371)\cdot 10^{3}}\right) \\
&= 5.311\cdot 10^{9}\text{ J}
\end{aligned}$$
 
Thanks
Don't have any physics background 😩😩😩
 

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