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General Science • PhysicsEasy

What is the escape velocity of an object from the surface of the Earth approximately equal to?

A. 11.2 km/s✓ Correct Answer
B. 7.9 km/s
C. 3.0 km/s
D. 24.5 km/s

💡 Solution & Explanation

The escape velocity from the Earth is approximately 11.2 kilometers per second, representing the minimum speed an unpowered body must attain to permanently escape planetary gravitational attraction. Alternative values like 7.9 kilometers per second denote the orbital velocity required for a low-Earth-orbit satellite rather than escape speed. Escape velocity depends directly on the mass and radius of the celestial body in question.

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