| |
Escape Velocity This is the initial velocity that an object would have to have if projected from the surface of a body (e.g. Earth) to reach infinity before coming to rest. Escape velocity,  - Where
- v = escape velocity [ms-1]
- G = universal gravitational constant = 6.67x10-11Nm2kg-2
- m = mass of body from which object is projected [kg]
- r = radius of body from which object is projected [m]
| | Note: - This calculation applies to a body that is projected with this initial velocity. A body that is powered in flight does not have to rely on just it's initial kinetic energy to overcome the gravitational attraction of the body from which it is escaping.
- The direction in which the object is projected is irrelevent as the energy it loses is only dependent on the height it reaches.
The Earth's escape velocity is 11.2 km s-1 ~ 25000 mph.
See also: Earth, Gravitational Potential, Newton′s Law of Universal Gravitation, Velocity.
  
Subjects:- Physics
| |
