How much velocity should a small toy rocket, weighing 10kg, acquire in order to escape the Earth's gravitational field? (Neglect any type of friction with the atmosphere)

Here, by equating the formula for the kinetic energy of the rocket to the gravitational potential energy, the student would realize after deriving the speed, that the its mass vanishes, therefore making the escape speed independent of the mass, and only dependent on known constant: universal gravitational constant, mass and radius of Earth.

v= sqrt(2GM/R)

AG
Answered by Alessandro G. Physics tutor

2042 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

What is the meaning of the term "Specific Heat Capacity"?


Why is centripetal acceleration directed inwards to the centre of the circle during centripetal motion? If I’m in a car while it’s cornering, I seem to be pushed outwards away from the centre, not inwards.


What is Olbers' paradox?


What is gravitational potential energy?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning