What is the minimum initial velocity necessary for an object to leave Earth?

The problem can be easily solved using energy formulas. The only force that acts on the departing object is the gravitational force, which is conservative. Therefore the total energy is conserved on the trajectory:E=mv2/2-GmM/r=ct.The energy on the surface of the planet is:E=mv2i/2-GmM/R where vi is the initial velocity and R is the radius of Earth.At infinity(where the objects eventually gets since it leaves Earth):E=mv2f/2 where vf is the final velocity, which will be set to 0 in order to minimise the initial velocity.Equating the energies of the two positions we get:mv2i/2-GmM/R=0vi=(2GM/R)1/2 After introducing the values for the gravitational constant, mass and radius of Earth we get the final velocity:vi=11.2 km/s

LS
Answered by Leontica S. Physics tutor

2234 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

3 resistors, R1, R2 and R3 are attached in parallel across a 6V cell with resistances 3, 4 and 5 Ohms respectively. Calculate the current across each resistor.


Two balls with the same kinetic energy have mass of ball a = m and ball b = 2m. What is the ratio of their momentums: a/b?


Define a geostationary orbit


Explain how a standing wave is set up on a string fixed at both ends.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning