Escape Velocity

v_e = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{r}}

Minimum velocity to escape gravitational field.

Variables

v_e

Escape velocity

Minimum escape speed

m/s

G

Gravitational constant

6.674×10⁻¹¹

N·m²/kg²

M

Mass

Mass of body

kg

r

Radius

Starting distance

m

Derivation

Set total energy = 0: ½mv² - GMm/r = 0.

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