energy output needed to move a certain mass?

Question

im sure there is a way to determine how much energy is needed to move a body of mass. id like to know how much is need to shift a sphere with a mass of 5.9742×10^24 kg, assuming that there is no wind, gravity, or any other force that could cause friction. anyone know how i can come to an answer?

Answer 1

Energy is force times distance per time. Work is force times distance.

So - how far do you want to move this massive body of yours? Do you have to move it that far in a certain amount of time?

If you just want to move it, and there is no friction involved, you can move it with a feather - one gram - any non-zero force.

Answer 2

Energy = Work = Force x Distance Exerted

The force you apply to your sphere (Deathstar class iii??) would cause it to accelerate. The acceleration is determined from F=ma. So you just have to decide what speed you want to accelerate to, and fill in the numbers...

Now keep in mind the above is Newtonian physics... they need to be modified with relativity issues if you try to travel faster than a small fraction of the speed of light.