What is the gravitational potential energy of the Earth and sun ? The Earth to sun distance is arouund 150 million Km . The mass of the Earth is `5.9 xx 10^(24)`kg and the mass of the sun is `1.9 xx 10^(30)` kg.

Explanation

The distance between sun & Earth
R = 150 million km = `150 xx 10^(11) m`.
The mass of the sun `M_(s) = 1.9 xx 10^(30) kg`
The mass of the Earth `M_(e) = 5.9 xx 10^(24) kg`,
The gravitational potential energy U = ?
`U = -(GM_(e)M_(s))/(R)`
`U = -(6.67 xx 10^(-11) xx 5.9 xx 10^(24) xx 1.9 xx 10^(30))/(1.5 xx 10^(12))`
`U = -4.985 xx 10^(32) J`
P.E. `U = -49.84 xx 10^(31)J`.