Answer
The decrease in gravitational potential energy each second is $~~-2.7\times 10^9~J$
Work Step by Step
We can find the change in gravitational potential energy each second:
$\Delta U = mg~\Delta h$
$\Delta U = (5.5\times 10^6~kg)(9.8~m/s^2)(-50~m)$
$\Delta U = -2.7\times 10^9~J$
The decrease in gravitational potential energy each second is $~~-2.7\times 10^9~J$
