Work and gravity (a) How much work does it take to lift a mass m a distance y against Earth's gravitational field? Calculate this starting with the integral definition of work: W = F di (b) At a height y, how much potential energy is stored? (c) If you drop the object from a height y, what speed will the object hit the ground with? (d) Now, calculate the work it takes to move a mass m under the influence of the sun's gravity, from a distance r (far from the sun) to infinity. Let the sun have mass M. (e) How much gravitational potential energy is thus stored a distance r from the sun?

Work and gravity (a) How much work does it take to lift a mass m a distance y against Earth's gravitational field? Calculate this starting with the integral definition of work: W = F di (b) At a height y, how much potential energy is stored? (c) If you drop the object from a height y, what speed will the object hit the ground with? (d) Now, calculate the work it takes to move a mass m under the influence of the sun's gravity, from a distance r (far from the sun) to infinity. Let the sun have mass M. (e) How much gravitational potential energy is thus stored a distance r from the sun?