A satellite gets unstable in its orbit and starts burning while falling towards Earth. If the satellite had a potential energy of 1000 joules initially and by the time it reaches the surface of the earth it attains a kinetic energy of 500 joules, then how much energy is spent in heating the satellite?
500J
According to the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, it can only be converted from one form to another.
Initial potential energy is converted to kinetic energy and heat.
so potential energy = kinetic energy + heat energy
1000 J = 500 J+heat energy
heat energy = 500 J