The kinetic energy of the ejecta from a supernova explosion is about 10^44 joules. Use the formula for kinetic energy to determine the typical speed at which matter is ejected from a supernova with a mass of 10 Msun. Compare that speed with the Sunʹs orbital speed around our galaxy. Based on your comparison, do you think the galaxyʹs gravity would be strong enough to retain the supernova debris if there were no interstellar medium to slow it down? Explain.

The kinetic energy of the ejecta from a supernova explosion is about 10^44 joules. Use the formula for kinetic energy to determine the typical speed at which matter is ejected from a supernova with a mass of 10 Msun. Compare that speed with the Sunʹs orbital speed around our galaxy. Based on your comparison, do you think the galaxyʹs gravity would be strong enough to retain the supernova debris if there were no interstellar medium to slow it down? Explain.