Sputnik I Was Launched into Orbit Around Earth in 1957

Sputnik I was launched into orbit around Earth in 1957. It had a perigee (the distance from the point of closest approach to the center of Earth) of 6.61 × 10⁶ m and an apogee (the distance from the furthest point in the orbit to the center of Earth) of 7.33 × 10⁶ m. Its mass was 83.5 kg. What was the difference in kinetic energy as it moved from perigee to apogee? The mass of Earth is 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg and G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N·m²/kg².

A) 8.27 × 10⁷ J
B) 6.44 × 10⁷ J
C) 1.93 × 10⁸ J
D) 3.50 × 10⁸ J
E) 4.94 × 10⁸ J

Correct Answer:

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