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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert

A projectile of mass m is fired from the surface of the earth at an angle α = 6 0 from the vertical. The initial speed v0 is equal to GMeRe. The maximum height that projectile can rise from surface of earth is Rex. Find the value of x ?

G = Universal Gravitational constant
Me = Mass of earth
Re = Radius of earth

PhysicsGravitationNEET
Options:
  • A 2
  • B

    4

  • C

    6

  • D

    8

Solution:
2093 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: 2


By conservation of angular momentum about C at position P and F

mv 0 3 2 R e = mv r max

⇒    v = 3 R e v 0 2 r max            ...(i)

By conservation of mechanical energy between P and F

1 2 mv 0 2 - GM e m R e = 1 2 mv 2 - GM e m r max             ...(ii)

Put (i) in (ii)

1 2 mv 0 2 - GM e m R e = 1 2 m 3 R 2 v 0 2 4 r max 2 - GM e m r max

v 0 = GM e R

⇒    1 2 m GM e R e - GM e m R e = 3 8 mR e 2 r max 2 GM e R - GM e m r max

⇒    1 2 R e - 1 R e = 3 R 8 r max 2 - 1 r max

⇒    - 1 2 R e = 3 R e - 8 r max 8 r max 2

⇒    4 r max 2 - 8 R e r max + 3 R e 2 = 0

Solving the quadratic in rmax

we get

r max = 8 R e ± 1 6 R e 8 = 8 R e ± 4 R e 8

⇒    r max = 8 R e + 4 R e 8 = 1 2 R e 8 = 3 R e 2

∴    h max = r max - R e = 3 R e 2 - R e = R e 2

∴    x = 2

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