A spacecraft (mass = m) orbits a planet (mass = M) in a circular orbit (radius = R). What is the minimum energy required to send this spacecraft to a distant point in space where the gravitational force on the spacecraft by the planet is negligible?

a. GmM/(4R)
b. GmM/R
c. GmM/(2R)
d. GmM/(3R)
e. 2GmM/(5R)


c

Physics & Space Science

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