An explosion inside a mortar tube launches a 100-kg projectile directly upward with a speed of 350 m/s.The increase in the Earth's kinetic energy due to this explosion is (mass of the Earth is A)3.50 * 10⁴ J. B)1.02 * 10^-16 J. C)1.22 * 10⁷ J. D)6.35 * 10^-7 J. E)8.92 * 10² J.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The increase in kinetic energy of the Earth due to the launch of the projectile can be calculated using the formula: ΔKE = ½ mv^2, where m is the mass of the projectile and v is its speed. Plugging in the given values, we get: ΔKE = ½ (100 kg) (350 m/s)^2 = 1.225 x 10^16 J. However, the question asks for the increase in the Earth's kinetic energy, not just the projectile's. Since the Earth is much more massive than the projectile, we can assume that the Earth's initial velocity is negligible compared to the projectile's velocity. Therefore, the increase in the Earth's kinetic energy is approximately equal to the calculated ΔKE. The closest answer choice is B: 1.02 x 10^16 J.

An Explosion Inside a Mortar Tube Launches a 100-Kg Projectile