Question:

A body is projected vertically upwards from the surface of earth with a velocity sufficient enough to carry it to infinity. The time taken by it to reach height \(h\) is ___________ s.

Show Hint

Projected with escape velocity, the speed at distance \(r\) is \(\sqrt{2GM/r}\); integrate \(dt = dr/v\) from \(R_e\) to \(R_e + h\).
Updated On: Nov 4, 2026
  • \(\sqrt{\dfrac{2R_e}{g}}\left[\left(1 + \dfrac{h}{R_e}\right)^{3/2} - 1\right]\)
  • \(\dfrac{1}{3}\sqrt{\dfrac{R_e}{2g}}\left[\left(1 + \dfrac{h}{R_e}\right)^{3/2} - 1\right]\)
  • \(\sqrt{\dfrac{R_e}{2g}}\left[\left(1 + \dfrac{h}{R_e}\right)^{3/2} - 1\right]\)
  • \(\dfrac{1}{3}\sqrt{\dfrac{2R_e}{g}}\left[\left(1 + \dfrac{h}{R_e}\right)^{3/2} - 1\right]\)
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Escape speed means total energy is zero, so at distance \(r\) from the centre: \(\tfrac12 v^2 = \dfrac{GM}{r}\), i.e. \(v = \sqrt{\dfrac{2GM}{r}} = R_e\sqrt{\dfrac{2g}{r}}\) (using \(GM = gR_e^2\)).
\(\dfrac{dr}{dt} = R_e\sqrt{2g}\, r^{-1/2}\) so \(r^{1/2}dr = R_e\sqrt{2g}\,dt\).
Integrate from \(R_e\) to \(R_e + h\): \(\tfrac23\left[(R_e + h)^{3/2} - R_e^{3/2}\right] = R_e\sqrt{2g}\; t\).
\(t = \dfrac{2}{3}\dfrac{R_e^{3/2}}{R_e\sqrt{2g}}\left[\left(1 + \dfrac{h}{R_e}\right)^{3/2} - 1\right] = \dfrac23\sqrt{\dfrac{R_e}{2g}}\left[\left(1 + \dfrac{h}{R_e}\right)^{3/2} - 1\right]\).
Since \(\dfrac23\sqrt{\dfrac{R_e}{2g}} = \dfrac13\sqrt{\dfrac{4R_e}{2g}} = \dfrac13\sqrt{\dfrac{2R_e}{g}}\), \(t = \dfrac13\sqrt{\dfrac{2R_e}{g}}\left[\left(1 + \dfrac{h}{R_e}\right)^{3/2} - 1\right]\).
Answer: (4) \(\dfrac{1}{3}\sqrt{\dfrac{2R_e}{g}}\left[\left(1 + \dfrac{h}{R_e}\right)^{3/2} - 1\right]\)
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top JEE Main Physics Questions

View More Questions

Top JEE Main Gravitation Questions

View More Questions