ESCAPE SPEED Meaning and
Definition
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Escape speed refers to the minimum speed that an object, typically a spacecraft, must attain in order to successfully overcome the gravitational pull of a celestial body and enter into a state of free motion. As defined by physics, escape speed is the minimum initial velocity required for an object to break free from the gravitational control exerted by the celestial body and move infinitely away from it.
Escape speed is determined by the mass and radius of the celestial body around which an object orbits. It can be calculated using the formula v = √(2GM/r), where v represents the escape speed, G is the gravitational constant, M signifies the mass of the celestial body, and r is the distance between the center of the object and the center of the celestial body.
The concept of escape speed is crucial in various aspects of space travel and exploration. It is necessary for launching spacecraft from the Earth's surface, as they need to reach a certain velocity to overcome Earth's gravitational pull and enter into orbit or travel to other celestial bodies. Similarly, escape speed is vital for planned reentry into the Earth's atmosphere, as spacecraft need to reach specific speeds to counteract the gravitational force during their return to Earth.
The determination of escape speed plays a fundamental role in understanding and executing celestial maneuvers, allowing for efficient and successful space missions.
Common Misspellings for ESCAPE SPEED
- wscape speed
- sscape speed
- dscape speed
- rscape speed
- 4scape speed
- 3scape speed
- eacape speed
- ezcape speed
- excape speed
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- esvape speed
- esfape speed
- esdape speed
- esczpe speed
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- escwpe speed
- escqpe speed
Etymology of ESCAPE SPEED
The word "escape speed" comes from the combination of the words "escape" and "speed".
The term "escape" is derived from the Latin word "ex-" meaning "out of" or "away from", and the Latin word "scapus" which means "shaft" or "stem". This combination of Latin roots gives "escape" the meaning of "to get out" or "to flee".
On the other hand, "speed" originates from the Middle English word "spede", which traces back to the Old English word "spēd" meaning "success" or "prosperity". Over time, it evolved to also refer to the rate at which an object moves or the velocity it attains.
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