The escape velocity from a spherical planet is . The escape velocity from another planet , whose density and radius are of those of planet , is _____ .
- A
- B
- C
- D
The escape velocity from a spherical planet is . The escape velocity from another planet , whose density and radius are of those of planet , is _____ .
Correct answer:A
Standard Method
Given: The escape velocity from planet is . For planet , the radius and density are each of those of planet .
Find: The escape velocity of planet in .
Escape velocity is given by
Mass of a spherical planet is
Substituting this in the escape velocity expression,
So,
Hence,
Now use the given ratios:
Therefore,
With ,
Therefore, the correct option is D.
The solution states option A, but the displayed working gives a ratio inconsistent with that conclusion. Using the shown dependence on radius and density, the defensible answer is .
Using and then simplifying it incorrectly as a direct factor of . This is wrong because , so both the radius factor and the square root of density must be handled separately. Instead, use .
Forgetting to convert into before comparing with the options. This is wrong because the final answer is asked in . Convert first: .
Assuming escape velocity depends only on density or only on radius. This is wrong because after substituting into , the dependence becomes . Both quantities affect the result.
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