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

Given: r = 150 million km
`r=150xx10^(6)km=150xx10^(9)m`
`M_(e)=5.9xx10^(24)kg`
`M_(s)=1.9xx10^(30)kg`
To find: Potential energy=??
Formula:
`{:("Potential"),("energy"):}}=-(GM_(e)M_(s))/(r)`
`=-(6.67xx10^(-11)xx5.9xx10^(24)xx1.9xx10^(30))/(150xx10^(9))`
`=-0.4984xx10^(-11-9+24+30)`
`=-0.4984xx10^(34)`
`{:("Potential"),("energy"):}}=-49.84xx10^(32)J`