1. What is Escape Velocity?

Escape velocity is the minimum speed needed for an object to break free from the gravitational attraction of a massive body without further propulsion. For Earth, it's the speed required to leave Earth's gravitational pull.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the escape velocity equation:

Where:

• \( v_{esc} \) — Escape velocity (m/s)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67430 × 10^-11 m³/kg·s²)
• \( M_{earth} \) — Mass of Earth (5.972 × 10²⁴ kg)
• \( R_{earth} \) — Radius of Earth (6.371 × 10⁶ m)

Explanation: The equation balances the kinetic energy needed to overcome Earth's gravitational potential energy.

3. Importance of Escape Velocity

Details: Knowing escape velocity is crucial for space missions, satellite launches, and understanding planetary physics. It determines the energy requirements for spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the gravitational constant, Earth's mass and radius. Default values are provided for standard Earth conditions. All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Earth's typical escape velocity?
A: Approximately 11.2 km/s (11,200 m/s) at Earth's surface.

Q2: Does escape velocity depend on the object's mass?
A: No, escape velocity is independent of the escaping object's mass.

Q3: How does altitude affect escape velocity?
A: Escape velocity decreases with altitude as the distance from Earth's center increases.

Q4: What's the escape velocity at other celestial bodies?
A: It varies - Moon: 2.38 km/s, Sun: 617.5 km/s, etc.

Q5: Can escape velocity be achieved gradually?
A: Yes, through continuous propulsion (like rockets), but the total energy requirement remains the same.