Question
Calculate the velocity of an atmospheric particle 1600 km above the earth's surface, given that the radius of the earth is 6400 km and acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth is 9.8 m/s2.
Solution
We have,
h = 1600 km
R = 6400 km = 6.4 x 106 m
Therefore,
r = R + h = 6400 +1600
= 8000 m = 8.0 x 106 m
Hence, escape velocity is given by,