Escape velocity

Gives the minimum speed an object needs at distance r from a body of mass M to escape its gravitational pull, ignoring air resistance and other forces. It is used in orbital mechanics and spaceflight planning.

v_{\mathrm{e}} = \sqrt{\frac{2 G M}{r}}

What the symbols mean

escape velocity (m/s)
gravitational constant, about 6.674 \times 10^{-11} m^3 kg^{-1} s^{-2}
mass of the primary body (kg)
distance from the centre of the primary body (m)

About this formula

  • FieldPhysics
  • TopicGravitation and orbital mechanics
  • LevelUniversity
  • Also calledescape speed, second cosmic velocity, second escape velocity, escape velocity formula, minimum speed to escape gravity, escape velocity of a planet
  • SourceWikidata Q166530

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