JEE MAIN - Physics (2025 - 4th April Morning Shift - No. 15)

Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason $\mathbf{R}$

Assertion A : The kinetic energy needed to project a body of mass $m$ from earth surface to infinity is $\frac{1}{2} \mathrm{mgR}$, where R is the radius of earth.

Reason R : The maximum potential energy of a body is zero when it is projected to infinity from earth surface.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
$\mathbf{A}$ is false but $\mathbf{R}$ is true
Both $\mathbf{A}$ and $\mathbf{R}$ are true and $\mathbf{R}$ is the correct explanation of $\mathbf{A}$
$\mathbf{A}$ is true but $\mathbf{R}$ is false
Both $\mathbf{A}$ and $\mathbf{R}$ are true but $\mathbf{R}$ is NOT the correct explanation of $\mathbf{A}$

Explanation

Let's analyze both the Assertion and the Reason step by step.

Calculation of the Required Kinetic Energy:

The gravitational potential energy of a body of mass $$m$$ at a distance $$r$$ from the center of the Earth is given by:

$$U(r) = -\frac{GMm}{r},$$

where $$G$$ is the gravitational constant and $$M$$ is the mass of the Earth.

At the Earth's surface (where $$r = R$$), the potential energy is:

$$U(R) = -\frac{GMm}{R}.$$

At infinity, the potential energy is defined as:

$$U(\infty) = 0.$$

The energy needed to move the body from the Earth’s surface to infinity is the change in potential energy:

$$\Delta U = U(\infty) - U(R) = 0 - \Bigg(-\frac{GMm}{R}\Bigg) = \frac{GMm}{R}.$$

Using the relation $$g = \frac{GM}{R^2},$$ we find:

$$\frac{GMm}{R} = mgR.$$

So, the required kinetic energy to just reach infinity (with zero speed at infinity) is:

$$\text{Kinetic Energy} = mgR.$$

The Assertion A states that the required kinetic energy is $$\frac{1}{2}mgR$$, which is only half of the actual value.

Verification of the Reason:

The Reason states: "The maximum potential energy of a body is zero when it is projected to infinity from earth surface."

By convention in gravitational problems, the potential energy at infinity is taken to be zero. This is a standard and correct statement.

Conclusion:

Assertion A is false because it underestimates the needed energy; the correct kinetic energy should be $$mgR$$.

Reason R is true since the gravitational potential energy is indeed defined to be zero at infinity.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

Option A: $$\mathbf{A}$$ is false but $$\mathbf{R}$$ is true.

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