# Derivation of Escape Velocity

Derivation of escape velocity is a very common concept in the kinematics topic of physics and often, questions related to it are included in the school exams. The escape velocity derivation is also important to understand the in-depth concepts better and have a thorough understanding of the related concepts.

With the help of escape velocity formula, it is possible to calculate the minimum velocity that an object requires to overcome a particular planet’s or object’s gravitational pull. Here, the derivation of escape velocity is given in a very simple and easy to understand way that can help to learn this concept in a better way.

Derivation of Escape Velocity:

Before checking the escape velocity derivation, it is important to know what escape velocity is and what are its related concepts. Check out Escape Velocity of Earth for a detailed understanding of the minimum velocity required to overcome earth’s gravitational pull.

Escape Velocity Formula:

$v_{e}=\sqrt{2gR}$

Derivation:

Assume a perfect sphere shaped planet of radius R and mass M. Now, if a body of mass m is projected from a point A on the surface of the planet. An image is given below for better representation:

In the diagram, a line from the center of the planet i.e. O is drawn till A (OA) and extended further away from the surface. In that extended line, two more points are taken as P and Q at a distance of x and dx respectively from the center O.

Now, let the minimum velocity required from the body to escape the planet be-> $v_{e}$

Thus, the Kinetic Energy will be->

At point P, the body will be at a distance x from the planet’s center and the force of gravity between the object and the planet will be->

To take the body from P to Q i.e. against the gravitational attraction, the work done will be->

Now, the work done against the gravitational attraction to take the body from the planet’s surface to infinity can be easily calculated by integrating the equation for work done within the limits x=R to x=∞.

Thus,

By integrating it further, the following is obtained->

Thus, the work done will be->

Now, to escape from the surface of the planet, the kinetic energy of the body has to be equal to the work done against the gravity going from the surface to infinity. So,

K.E. = W

Putting the value for K.E. and Work, the following equation is obtained->

From this equation, the escape velocity can be easily formulated which is->

Putting the value of g = GM/ , the value of escape velocity becomes->

From this equation, it can be said that the escape velocity depends on the radius of the planet and the mass of the planet only and not on the mass of the body.

Escape Velocity of Earth:

From the above equation, the escape velocity for any planet can be easily calculated if the mass and radius of that planet are given. For earth, the values of g and R are->

g = 9.8m/

R = 63,781,00 m

So, the escape velocity will be->

$v_{e}=\sqrt{2\times 9.8\times 63,781,00}$

Escape Velocity of Earth= 11.2 km/s.

This was the derivation of the escape velocity of earth or any other planet. This escape velocity derivation is very crucial as questions related to this topic are common in the physics exams. To learn more similar concepts, check out the related articles below.

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