Chapter 19, Problem 59EAP

The Speed of Supernova Debris. The kinetic energy  $E_{\text{kinetic}}$  of an amount of mass M traveling at a velocity v is given by the formula  $E_{\text{kinetic}}=M{v}^2/2$ . The total kinetic energy of the matter ejected from a supernova explosion is about  ${10}^{44}\text{ joules}$ . Determine the typical speed at which that matter is ejected from a supernova with a mass of  $10M_{\text{sun}}$ . Compare that speed with the Sun’s orbital speed around our galaxy. Based on your comparison, do you think the galaxy’s gravity would be strong enough to retain the supernova debris if there were no interstellar medium to slow it down? Explain.