#Physics#Astronomy#Earth#Gravity
What is the escape velocity of Earth in meters per second?
TL;DR Summary: The escape velocity of Earth is approximately 11,200 meters per second, which is about 11.2 kilometers per second or 25,000 miles per hour.
What is the escape velocity of Earth in meters per second?
Escape velocity is the minimum speed needed for a free, non-propelled object to escape from the gravitational influence of a primary body, meaning it will reach an infinite distance from it.
The Exact Figure
For Earth, the escape velocity from the surface is approximately 11,186 meters per second (about 11.2 km/s or 40,270 km/h). In imperial units, this translates to roughly 25,000 miles per hour.
How It Is Calculated
Escape velocity is derived from the conservation of energy and the gravitational potential. The formula is:
$$v_e = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}$$
Where:
- $v_e$ is the escape velocity
- $G$ is the universal gravitational constant
- $M$ is the mass of the planet (Earth)
- $R$ is the radius of the planet
Because this calculation assumes no atmospheric friction, actual rockets require even more thrust to overcome air resistance as they leave the atmosphere.