Escape velocity Definition and 220 Threads

In physics (specifically, celestial mechanics), escape velocity is the minimum speed needed for a free, non-propelled object to escape from the gravitational influence of a massive body, that is, to eventually reach an infinite distance from it. Escape velocity rises with the body's mass (body to be escaped) and falls with the escaping object's distance from its center. The escape velocity thus depends on how far the object has already traveled, and its calculation at a given distance takes into account the fact that without new acceleration it will slow down as it travels—due to the massive body's gravity—but it will never quite slow to a stop.
A rocket, continuously accelerated by its exhaust, can escape without ever reaching escape velocity, since it continues to add kinetic energy from its engines. It can achieve escape at any speed, given sufficient propellant to provide new acceleration to the rocket to counter gravity's deceleration and thus maintain its speed.
The escape velocity from Earth's surface is about 11,186 m/s (6.951 mi/s; 40,270 km/h; 36,700 ft/s; 25,020 mph; 21,744 kn). More generally, escape velocity is the speed at which the sum of an object's kinetic energy and its gravitational potential energy is equal to zero; an object which has achieved escape velocity is neither on the surface, nor in a closed orbit (of any radius). With escape velocity in a direction pointing away from the ground of a massive body, the object will move away from the body, slowing forever and approaching, but never reaching, zero speed. Once escape velocity is achieved, no further impulse need be applied for it to continue in its escape. In other words, if given escape velocity, the object will move away from the other body, continually slowing, and will asymptotically approach zero speed as the object's distance approaches infinity, never to come back. Speeds higher than escape velocity retain a positive speed at infinite distance. Note that the minimum escape velocity assumes that there is no friction (e.g., atmospheric drag), which would increase the required instantaneous velocity to escape the gravitational influence, and that there will be no future acceleration or extraneous deceleration (for example from thrust or from gravity of other bodies), which would change the required instantaneous velocity.
For a spherically symmetric, massive body such as a star, or planet, the escape velocity for that body, at a given distance, is calculated by the formula





v

e


=




2
G
M

r





{\displaystyle v_{e}={\sqrt {\frac {2GM}{r}}}}
where G is the universal gravitational constant (G ≈ 6.67×10−11 m3·kg−1·s−2), M the mass of the body to be escaped from, and r the distance from the center of mass of the body to the object. The relationship is independent of the mass of the object escaping the massive body. Conversely, a body that falls under the force of gravitational attraction of mass M, from infinity, starting with zero velocity, will strike the massive object with a velocity equal to its escape velocity given by the same formula.
When given an initial speed



V


{\displaystyle V}
greater than the escape speed




v

e


,


{\displaystyle v_{e},}
the object will asymptotically approach the hyperbolic excess speed




v




,


{\displaystyle v_{\infty },}
satisfying the equation:







v






2


=

V

2






v

e




2


.


{\displaystyle {v_{\infty }}^{2}=V^{2}-{v_{e}}^{2}.}
In these equations atmospheric friction (air drag) is not taken into account.

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  1. Priyo137

    Escape Velocity from Earth starting from its Centre

    What is the minimum velocity (theoretically) of an object located at the CENTER of the Earth to move it outside its gravitational field?
  2. Juanda

    I Balloon experiment - Classical Physics vs. Statistical Physics

    While reading a similar and deservedly closed post a contradiction came to my mind. The supposed contradiction is related to Statistical Physics where my understanding is only conceptual so correct me where I might be wrong. I remember reading that lightweight gasses can escape Earth's...
  3. maxelcat

    Escape velocity question - constant is wrong....

    This is a multiple choice question. I assumed that this is an escape velocity question. I have been going round and round... Here's what I have done:
  4. Rikudo

    Rocket Escape Velocity from the Earth-Sun system

    I have a difficulty when making the energy-conservation-equation for the second step. When making the equation, we need to know the exact position (measured from the sun) of the rocket after it is freed from the Earth gravitation. But, where exactly does the rocket free from Earth...
  5. P

    Escape velocity of solar system

    I'm pretty confused by this but I have a few thoughts. Since the sun takes up most of the mass of the solar system, I was thinking maybe I'm really looking for the escape velocity of the sun? So I would use the mass of the sun for M and the radius of the sun for r. My other thought was to add up...
  6. jellybean-spider

    Fields (Gravitational fields) -- Escape Velocity from the Moon

    It's an MCQ, and I chose 4/81 v(esc). Is this correct? There isn't a marking scheme... :cry:
  7. J

    I Does Escape Velocity depend on a rocket's direction away from Earth?

    He explain escape velocity in example where rocket goes straight up,isnt escacpe velocity ,velocity where centrifugal forces and gravity are equal,so refers only when rocket going in circle/orbit? Can rocket really leave Earth in straight line like he show in video once reach this velocity and...
  8. J

    Escape Velocity Question: Why is the final kinetic energy = 0?

    So Ekf-Eki+Epf-Epi=0. I understand that the final potential energy is 0 (distance away approaches infinity), but don't get why the final kinetic energy becomes 0. If the final kinetic energy was 0, wouldn't that mean the object no longer has any velocity and would start being effected by the...
  9. snoopies622

    I Derive Escape Velocity GR: Source for Schwarzschild Metric

    I was surprised to read that the formula for escape velocity — at least for a spherical mass like the Earth — is the same in relativity as it is in classical physics: v_e = (2GM/r)^{1/2} I'm wondering if someone can give me a good source for deriving this. (I assume one takes a radial...
  10. AN630078

    Finding r of a Jovian-synchronous orbit and escape velocity

    1. The satellite would be in a jovian-synchronous orbit, Rearranging the formula for the orbital period in terms of r, since T^2 is proportional to r^3: T^2=4π^2r^3/GM which becomes r^3=(GM/4π^2) T^2 M(mass of Jupiter)=1.89 x 10^27 G=6.67*10^-11 m^3kg^-1s^-2 T=9 hours and 55 minutes =...
  11. Leo Liu

    A mistake in the derivation of escape velocity

    In the last step of the derivation of escape velocity, the two sides of the equation seem to have opposite signs. $$-1/2mv_0^2=-mgR_e^2\,\lim_{r\to\infty}(1/r-1/R_e)$$ $$-1/2mv_0^2=mgR_e^2 \frac{1}{R_e}$$ Since the mass and the square of the velocity are positive, the left side of the equation...
  12. I

    Exploring the Logical/Geometrical Explanation of Escape Velocity

    If you derive the equation for orbital velocity you get \begin{equation} v_{orbit} = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}} \end{equation} and for escape velocity you get \begin{equation} v_{escape} = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}=\sqrt{2}\,v_{orbit} \end{equation} I'm wondering if there is a logical/geometrical...
  13. Muhammad Danish

    Escape Velocity depends on the Radius of the Earth?

    We have 2 different formulas for escape velocity. and . If we look at the first formula we see that escape velocity is inversely proportional to the square root of Radius of Earth. While in the second formula, escape velocity is directly proportional to the square root of Radius of Earth. We...
  14. r-swald

    Find the escape velocity from 2 point charges

    Below is the work I've attempted. I used 2 PE b'c there were 2 point charges, and only one KE b'c only the proton is moving. The final equation in case it's hard to see is V(esc) = sqrt (4kQq / mr). I'm not sure if I did it right. Did I set up this equation right? and I am also not sure what...
  15. J

    What is the kinetic energy when an object reaches escape velocity?

    What is the kinetic energy equal to during the escape velocity? Henceforth, what is exactly happening at the escape velocity in terms of gravity?
  16. Ranku

    Escape velocity and gravitational freefall

    Is an object with escape velocity in gravitational freefall?
  17. B

    Calculating Escape Velocity for Earth: Where Am I Going Wrong?

    I really cannot understand where this is going wrong... Plugging in the constants, I get vescape=Sqrt(2(6.67x10^-11)(5.976x10^24kg)/6378). (6.67x10^-11)(5.976x10^24kg) gives me 3.99x10^14, and multiplied by 2 gives me 7.97x10^14. 7.97x10^14/6378=1.25x10^11. The square root of 1.25x10^11 would...
  18. G

    I Escape Velocity, Gravitational Velocity & Time Dilation

    The is a question about gravitational time dilation and escape velocity. As others have pointed out, you may use escape velocity to calculate gravitational time dilation in a gravitational field. (Interestingly, you can't use gravity to calculate gravitational time dilation, which makes...
  19. A

    Escape velocity of an iron asteroid

    Homework Statement: Jack can jump upwards a distance 1.4 meters when he is on the surface of the Earth. What is his initial velocity when he jumps? Most of the time, however, Jack is in space. He is an asteroid miner: he looks for asteroids made out of useful metals. His job involves landing on...
  20. D

    Unusual escape velocity derivation

    Is it possible to derive escape velocity say using momentum and force balance considerations? or using angular momentum consideration? Namely, any other approach then energy consideration that utilizes gravitation potential energy and kinetic energy?
  21. Z

    When would a rocket return that was at escape velocity

    we all know escape velocity is a velocity in which a body can escape orbit around the Earth and fly off into space. this needs to happen in space our just out of our atmosphere, due to drag that could bring an object back into orbit and cause it's velocity to degrade to a point where it would...
  22. L

    Question About the Escape Velocity from Different Mass Planets

    Hi! I have a question about escape velocity. If a planet is bigger and have a greater escape velocity than another planet. Do this effect the density of the bigger planet in any way? Or do we have to know the mass of the bigger planet to know if the density is larger or lower for this planet?
  23. S

    I Escape Velocity: Newtonian vs Relativistic

    Hi, Do we obtain the same escape velocity equation: Ve = sqrt(2GM/r) using both Newtonian and Relativistic approach?
  24. C

    Escape Velocity and the Motion of Two Massive Bodies

    Hey there, If body 1, mass M1 has escape velocity V_e1 = (2GM1/r)**.5 but M2 is more massive than M1 is this relation still valid? In this case, the subordinate body really isn't the subordinate body so does this still hold? And r (distance b/t the two) changes not only due to the motion of M2...
  25. Lucw

    Escape velocity when the rocket's mass is not small compared to the asteroid

    Hello When one calculates the speed of liberation of an object with respect to a star, one takes into account the force exerted by the star on the object. But not the force exerted by the object on the star. For small objects, this is valid. But what is the speed of release of a 1000 kg rocket...
  26. H

    Find the speed of a satellite at a distance R from Earth

    Homework Statement Gravitational force exerted on mass m is GMm/r^2 2. Relevant equations Orbital velocity at distance R from Earth = ##\sqrt gR## Escape velocity = ##\sqrt 2gR## gR = GM/R Fc = mV^2/R F =m.aThe Attempt at a Solution 1) express acceleration of gravity in terms of G, M , and R...
  27. W

    Escape Velocity and Centripetal/Centrifugal Acceleration

    This is just a reality that I have stumbled upon that I'm sure was well-known, but I still found it interesting. I apologize if this is second-nature to physics experts. I was responding to a post on a different thread that claimed you could make a tunnel around the Earth and if you sent a...
  28. Joe Fatuch

    I How does the speed of light affect expansion acceleration?

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  29. Alexander350

    Escape velocity and kinetic energy of the Earth

    If you had two masses, m_{1} and m_{2}, and you released them in space infinitely far apart, their kinetic energies would satisfy \frac{1}{2}m_{1}v_{1}^2+\frac{1}{2}m_{2}v_{2}^2=\frac{Gm_{1}m_{2}}{r} if they met with a distance r between their centres of mass. This equation therefore tells you...
  30. R

    Intuition for why escape velocity doesn't depend on angle

    Homework Statement solve for escape velocity from Earth's surface Homework Equations just either use the line integral, and the tangential term disappears, or just use the energy equations The Attempt at a Solution I've solved it, but I'm having some trouble just coming to grips with this...
  31. A

    I Can a plane escape Earth's gravity with a powerful engine and no air?

    If I drive a plane and the force of engine is bigger than force of gravity of it , if the engine is turn on always ,and assuming no air , will the plane continue moving up and escape from the gravity ?
  32. A

    GPE and Escape Velocity: Understanding the Relationship for Moving Objects

    Is it necessary to be the kinetic energy greater than gpe to move ( I don't talk about in orbits) Example : Is it will be harder to move an object has a bigger gpe ( same mass but bigger hight from ground). And thanks.
  33. G

    KE+PE when a rocket's speed is less than escape velocity?

    Hey people, I just want to ask that what will happen to the total mechanical force of the rocket if its speed is less than escape velocity? a. KE+PE=0 b. KE+PE>0 c. KE+PE<0 d. Depends upon initial speed of the rocket Pick one. And Why??
  34. Alexanddros81

    Pytels Dynamics 12.8: Missile dynamics, acceleration and escape velocity

    Homework Statement A missile is launched from the surface of a planet with the speed v0 at t=0. According to the theory of universal gravitation, the speed v of the missile after launch is given by v2 = 2gr0(r0 / r -1) + v02 where g is the gravitational...
  35. D

    B Escape Velocity from Relativistic Sphere: Derivation & Intuition

    Can you please direct me to ref that shows the derivation of the escape velocity from a spherical object that moves in velocity v~c with respect to rest frame? I suspect the escape velocity is increasing (intuitively since the mass increases). Please comment and suggest alternatives.
  36. TreeLover

    B An exercise related to the mass of the Milky Way, sort of.

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  37. Jared

    Need help finding energy for escape velocity

    Homework Statement The gravitational potential energy of a certain rocket at the surface of the Earth is -1.9x10^12 J. The gravitational potential energy of the same rocket 300km above the Earth's surface is -1.8x10^12 J. Assume the mass of the rocket is constant for this problem. A) How much...
  38. ckirmser

    Trip to Space -- Can ship with 1g acceleration escape Earth?

    In another forum, the question was raised, "could a ship with 1G acceleration escape the gravity well of a planet with 1G gravity?" A popular response is, if the craft is aerodynamic, it could accelerate laterally until it reached escape velocity and then manage to get to space. I don't...
  39. J

    Need help calculating acceleration out of a gravity well

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  40. D

    Is the usual Escape Velocity eqn an approximation?

    Text books ordinarily give the escape velocity of a mass-M body (in the center of mass frame of the system of the body and the escaping projectile, whose mass I'll label m) as (*) v2 = 2GM/r where r is the distance between the body and the escaping projectile. it doesn’t seem to me that (*)...
  41. Jules Winnfield

    How come escape velocity isn't imaginary?

    Going through several definitions, it appears that escape velocity is equal to the potential energy. That is:$$\frac{1}{2}m v^2=-\frac{G M m}{r}$$but if I solve for velocity, $v$, I get:$$v=\sqrt{-2\frac{G M}{r}}$$So how do I get an escape velocity that isn't imaginary?
  42. TheSodesa

    Escape Velocity of a Neutron Star: Relativistic Calculation

    Homework Statement Calculate the escape velocity on the surface of the neutron star in the previous problem (##m = \frac{2}{3} \cdot 2,1 \cdot M_{\odot}##; ##R = 15km##). Hint: Basic physics. Note, however, that the escape velocity is not going to be small when compared to the speed of light...
  43. S

    Rocket Launch: Achieving Escape Velocity w/ Fuel-Mass Ratio of 300

    Homework Statement Rockets are propelled by the momentum of the exhaust gases expelled from the tail. Since these gases arise from the reaction of the fuels carried in the rocket, the mass of the rocket is not constant, but decreases as the fuel is expended. Show that for a Rocket starting...
  44. GiantSheeps

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  45. R

    Escape Velocity: Unraveling the Mysteries of Kinetic & Potential Energy

    Why does a planet's kinetic energy become 0 when it reaches infinity? And why does a planet's kinetic energy get converted to gravitational potential energy when subjected under another planet's gravitational field? Escape velocity seems very abstract to me!
  46. L

    B Escape Velocity & Black Holes: Can Something Escape?

    It is my understanding of black holes that nothing can escape them because their escape velocity is higher than the speed of light. The place at which the escape velocity becomes higher than the speed of light is known as the event horizon. My question is what happens if there is a normal force...
  47. Geofleur

    D.E. Littlewood's comments about escape velocity

    I have been reading D.E. Littlewood's book "The Skeleton Key of Mathematics", and near the beginning he says that if a projectile weighing one (long) ton were given a velocity of 44 miles a second, this would be "sufficient to raise it to a height of 1000 miles above the Earth's surface."...
  48. RoboNerd

    Angular Acceleration and Moment Arm

    Homework Statement [A rocket has landed on Planet X, which has half the radius of Earth. An astronaut onboard the rocket weighs twice as much on Planet X as on Earth. If the escape velocity for the rocket taking off from Earth is v , then its escape velocity on Planet X is a) 2 v b) (√2)v c) v...
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