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

2076 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

What is the potential?


Why cant I use the same expression for doppler effect when the source is in motion and when the listener is in motion?


If a body is projected from the ground at the angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal with the initial velocity of 20 m/s, what maximum height and range is it going to reach?


Give the unit of energy, using only the base SI units kg, m and s.


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