Multiple choice general knowledge science & technology

In order to escape the gravity of the Earth, a spaceship must reach a velocity of:

  1. 550 m/s

  2. 5.5 km/s

  3. 11 km/s

  4. 110 km/s
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

To solve this question, the user needs to know about the escape velocity of an object. Escape velocity is the minimum speed required for an object to overcome the gravitational pull of a celestial body and escape into space.

Now, let's go through each option and explain why it is right or wrong:

A. 550 m/s: This option is not correct. This velocity is too low for an object to escape Earth's gravitational pull. It is not sufficient to overcome the gravitational attraction of the Earth.

B. 5.5 km/s: This option is not correct. Although this velocity is faster than option A, it is still too low for an object to escape Earth's gravity. It is only the speed required to reach low Earth orbit.

C. 11 km/s: This option is correct. This is the minimum speed required for an object to escape Earth's gravitational pull. When an object reaches this velocity, it has enough kinetic energy to break free of the Earth's gravity.

D. 110 km/s: This option is not correct. This velocity is much higher than the escape velocity required to escape Earth's gravity. It is not necessary to reach such a high velocity to escape Earth's gravity.

Therefore, The Answer is: C

AI explanation

Earth's escape velocity is about 11.2 km/s — the minimum speed an object needs, ignoring atmospheric drag, to break free of Earth's gravitational pull without further propulsion. It comes from setting kinetic energy equal to gravitational potential energy: v = sqrt(2GM/R). The smaller values are far too slow to overcome gravity, and 110 km/s is well beyond what's needed.

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