Example 1
From Earth’s mean surface radius, the ideal escape speed is about 11.2 km/s.
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Physics tools › Escape speed
Mendeleev · Physics
Escape speed
Escape speed is the minimum initial speed needed in the ideal two-body model to reach infinitely far away with zero remaining speed.
Formula usedvesc = √(2GM/r)
Visual cue · circular motion
Calculate
Escape speed
Calculated resultSpeed / velocity
What do the symbols mean?
vspeed
Mcentral mass
rradius
Two worked examples
Example 2
At twice the distance from the same central mass, escape speed is divided by √2.
Good to knowThe model neglects atmosphere, rotation, propulsion after launch and other gravitating bodies.