Question

What is the gravitational potential energy of the Earth and Sun? The Earth to Sun distance is around 150 million km. The mass of the Earth is 5.9 × 10²⁴ kg and mass of the Sun is 1.9 × 10³⁰ kg.

Answer 1

Mass of the Earth M_E = 5.9 × 10²⁴ kg 

Mass of the Sun M = 1.9 × 10³⁰ kg 

Distance between the Sun and Earth 

r = 150 million km; r = 150 × 10⁹ m 

Gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10^-11 Nm² kg^-2

The gravitational potential energy