The work required to lift an object away from the surface of the Earth is given
by the force of gravity integrated over the distance. (From the surface of Earth to a
point in space where the object will not fall back to Earth.)
Mathematically written as :
W = (Sum from Rf to RE) F dr
= (Sum from Rf to RE) G (m ME / r2) dr
= G m ME (Sum from Rf to RE) dr / r2
| Rf = point in space | RE = point on the surface of Earth |
| ME = mass of Earth | r = distance from Rf to RE |
| G = Gravitational constant | Uf = Potential energy at Rf |
| UE = Potential energy at RE | K = Kinetic energy needed to go from RE to Rf |
The work is the change in potential energy :
W = [-G m ME / Rf] - [-G m ME / RE]
W = Uf - UE
If the vessel is lifted to infinity, it has a potential energy of zero.
W = Uf - UE
= 0 - UE
= -UE
It means that back on the surface of the Earth, it's potential energy is negative.
W = -UE = -G m ME / RE
To escape from the Earth it must be given some kinetic energy enough so that it won't
slow down to zero before it gets infinitely far away.
K = 1/2 mv2
The total energy is zero both at infinity and on the surface of Earth.
-G m ME / RE + 1/2 mv2 = 0
Solving this for v (velocity) :
1/2 mv2 = G m ME / RE
v2 = 2 G ME / RE
v = (2 G ME / RE)^(1/2)
v = 11 km / s
This velocity is called the
escape velocity . A vessel will escape if it starts
with the speed of about
11 km per second .