Escape Velocity

If the kinetic energy of an object launched from the Earth were equal in magnitude to the potential energy, then in the absence of friction resistance it could escape from the Earth.
Escape velocity from the Earth
If M = MEarth

and r = rEarth

then vescape = m/s

vescape =km/hr
vescape =mi/hr.

This data corresponds to a surface gravitational acceleration of

g = m/s2
g = gEarth.
Orbit velocity and escape velocity
Index

Energy concepts

Gravity concepts
 
HyperPhysics***** Mechanics R Nave
Go Back





Orbit Velocity and Escape Velocity

If the kinetic energy of an object m1 launched from a planet of mass M2 were equal in magnitude to the potential energy, then in the absence of friction resistance it could escape from the planet. The escape velocity is given by

To find the orbit velocity for a circular orbit, you can set the gravitational force equal to the required centripetal force.

Note that the orbit velocity and the escape velocity from that radius are related by

Index

Energy concepts

Gravity concepts
 
HyperPhysics***** Mechanics R Nave
Go Back