Q. If the escape velocity of a planet is 3 times that of the earth and its radius is 4 times that of the earth, then the mass of the planet is (Mass of the earth $= 6 \times 10^{24}kg$)

A) $1.62 \times 10^{22}kg$
B) $0.72 \times 10^{22}kg$
C) $2.16 \times 10^{26}kg$
D) $1.22 \times 10^{22}kg$
Explanation

(c) Escape velocity of the planet is $v_{p} = \sqrt{\frac{2GM_{P}}{R_{P}}}$
Where $M_{p}$ and $R_{p}$ be the mass and radius of the planet respectively
Escape velocity of the earth is $v_{e} = \sqrt{\frac{2GM_{e}}{R_{e}}}$
Where $M_{e}$ and $R_{e}$ be the mass and radius of the earth respectively
According to given problem, $v_{p} = 3v_{e}$ and $R_{p} = 4R_{e}$
$\therefore\ \sqrt{\frac{2GM_{p}}{4R_{e}}} = 3\sqrt{\frac{2GM_{e}}{R_{e}}} \Rightarrow \frac{M_{p}}{4R_{e}} = \frac{9M_{e}}{R_{e}}$
$\Rightarrow M_{p} = 36M_{e} = 36 \times 6 \times 10^{24}kg$
$= 216 \times 10^{24}kg = 2.16 \times 10^{26}kg$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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