Question

Calculate the escape velocity of an object located on the surface of Mercury using data in Appendices 1 and 2 and express the results in km/s.

Answer 1

V_e = (2GM/r)^1/2

M = 3.30 × 10²³kg, r = 2439 km, G = 6.67 × 10^-11 N/m² /kg²

V_e =((2 x 6.67 x 10^-11 x 3.30 x 10²³)/(2439 x 10³))^1/2

V_e = (0.01804 x 10⁹)^1/2 = 0.4247 x 10⁴m/s

V_e = (0.4247 x 10⁴)/10³ = 4.25km/s