Final answer:
The minimum launch speed needed for an object to escape gravity is calculated using the escape velocity formula, v_esc = sqrt((2GM)/R). For a planet of mass M = 7 x 10^24 kg and radius R = 82 x 10^2 km, you can substitute the values into the equation to find the escape speed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minimum launch speed needed for an object to escape gravity, also known as the escape speed, can be derived by setting the total energy of the object equal to zero. The escape velocity from the surface of a planet of mass M and radius R is determined by the equation:
vesc = sqrt((2GM)/R)
In this equation, G is the gravitational constant. To calculate the escape speed for a planet of mass M = 7 x 10^24 kg and radius R = 82 x 10^2 km, you can substitute the values into the equation to obtain the escape speed in meters per second.