A satellite gets unstable in its orbit and starts falling towards the earth. It catches fire as soon as it starts falling. If the satellite had a potential energy of 1000 joules initially and by the time it reaches the surface of earth it attains a kinetic energy of 500 joules then how much energy is spent in heating the satellite?
500J
potential energy is converted to kinetic and heat.
so
Potential Energy = Kinetic Energy + Heat Energy
1000 = 500 + heat energy
Heat energy = 500 J