The velocity with which a projectile must be fired so that …

Physics Gravitation Gravitation Field, Force,Mass, Potential Energy and Escape Velocity Single Correct MCQ

Published by: CGP EDU Academic Team

Published on: September 12, 2026

The velocity with which a projectile must be fired so that it escapes earth’s gravitation does not depend on

Mass of the earth

Mass of the projectile

Radius of the projectile’s orbit

Gravitational constant

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

The correct answer is:

For a projectile to leave the gravitational field of the earth, its kinetic energy would be at least

equal to its potential energy.

That is $\frac{1}{2}mv_{e}^{2} = G \frac{Mm}{R}$

$\Rightarrow v_{e} = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}$

where $G$ is the universal gravitational constant,
M is the mass of the earth and
R is the radius of the earth.

Hence the escape velocity of a projectile is independent of its own mass.

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