Multiple choice

Escape velocity from the earth's surface is

  1. equal to that from the moon's surface

  2. greater than that from the moon's surface

  3. less than that from the moon's surface

  4. equal to that from the sun's surface
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Escape velocity depends on mass and radius: v = √(2GM/R). Earth's higher mass-to-radius ratio gives it an escape velocity of about 11.2 km/s, while the Moon's is only about 2.4 km/s. The Moon's lower gravity means less speed is needed to overcome it.

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