Why is there a velocity associated with escaping from earth’s atmosphere? If an object were to fly from the surface of the planet at 1 m/s without any change in acceleration would it not eventually end up in space?
In: 0
True. But that isn’t what escape velocity means. The escape velocity (at ground level) is the speed an object must be travelling at ground level going upwards WITHOUT FURTHER BOOST.
For a vehicle to travel 1m/s constantly against gravity, energy must be added ie there needs to be some form of boost or thrust (or it will slow down and fall back to earth). In that circumstance, there is no need to refer to the escape velocity.
Latest Answers