This article will tell you how to calculate the escape velocity needed to escape a planet's gravity.
Steps
Step 1. Calculate the mass and radius of the planet you are dealing with
For the earth, assuming you are at sea level, the radius is 6.38x10 ^ 6 meters and the mass is 5.97x10 ^ 24 kilograms. You will need the universal gravitational constant (G), which is 6.67x10 ^ -11 N m ^ 2 kg ^ -2. It is mandatory to use metric units for this equation.
Step 2. Using the data we just presented, calculate the speed needed to escape the gravitational pull of the planet
The object must have an energy greater than the gravitational force of the planet to be able to escape, so 1/2 mv ^ 2 = (GMm) / r can be used for the escape velocity as follows: V (escape) = root square [(2GM) / r] where "M" is the mass of the earth, "G" is the universal gravitational constant (6.67x10 ^ -11) and "r" is the radius from the center of the planet (6.378x10 ^ 6 m).
Step 3. The escape velocity of the earth is approximately 11.2 kilometers per second from the surface
Advice
- The rocket equation is: delta V = Velin (m1 / m2)
- Space rockets are often used to overcome escape velocity.
- This article does not take into account aerodynamic drag or other specific variables. To be able to calculate these things, it is best to study physics at a higher level.
