Question

The escape velocity from earth is greater for larger rockets than for small ones. the escape velocity from earth is greater for larger rockets than for small ones.

a. True
b. False

Answer 1

The statement is false.

The escape velocity from a planet is given by the expression
`\sqrt{(2GM)/(r)}` where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of object and r is the distance to center of the planet to the object.

We also have
`GM = gr^2`, where g is acceleration due to gravity .

On substitution we will get

Escape velocity =
`\sqrt{(2gr^2)/(r) } =√(2gr)`

The escape velocity does not depend upon mass of object.

So the escape velocity is same for larger and smaller rockets.