BITSAT2020PhysicsGravitationActual
The escape velocity from a planet is v_ e . A tunnel is dug along a diameter of the planet and a small body is dropped into it at the surface. When the body reaches the centre of the planet, its speed will be
Options
- AV _ e
- Bv _ e / 2
- Cv _ e / 2
- Dzero
Correct answer
B. v _ e / 2
Step-by-step solution
1 2 mv _ e ²= GMm R ; v _ e = GMm R = 2 gR In tunnel body will perform SHM at centre V _ max = A (see chapter on SHM) = R 2 2 R / g = gR = v _ e 2