Physics
Advanced

Escape Velocity

Minimum speed to escape a gravitational field.

Formula

ve=2GMrv_e = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{r}}

Variables

GConstant
MMass
rRadius

Example

Earth: ~11.2 km/s

Did You Know?

Earth's escape velocity is about 11.2 km/s, but a black hole's exceeds the speed of light — which is why nothing escapes it.

gravity