Search

Home > 4. Chemistry and Physics > Escape Velocity
Podcast: 4. Chemistry and Physics
Episode:

Escape Velocity
Category: Science & Medicine
Duration: 00:01:00
Publish Date: 2011-07-13 18:45:28
Description: Transcript: The speed required to completely escape from the gravity of something is called the escape velocity. At the escape velocity the kinetic energy exactly equals the gravitational potential energy, and an object can escape to an infinite distance from the gravity of a large body. Earth’s escape velocity is eleven kilometers per second. The escape velocity is always the square root of two times the circular velocity, about 40 percent larger. Something that escapes the Earth’s gravitational field is still held by the gravity of the sun however. Earth’s circular velocity around the sun is 30 kilometers per second. Square-root two times larger is 42 kilometers per second. Therefore any object or rocket that can be accelerated to 42 kilometers per second can leave the solar system. Four man-made objects or satellites have done so, so far.
Total Play: 0